FROM PARISH HALL TO NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE!
MUSIC HAS been in high supply in Kilmore and the surrounding areas in recent months as the locals were preparing for not one, but two musical offerings, both of which were for the National Opera House stage.
Just recently, the children of Kilmore National School, which won awards for their production of ‘The Lion King’ in recent years, strutted their stuff with a school production of ‘Mulan’.
Now, however, thoughts turn to Kilmore Variety Group’s production of ‘Seussical The Musical’ which takes to the O’Reilly stage on March 16 and 17, and features a cast of crew of around 70 people.
Group PRO Simmi Duggan said in recent years, since taking on musical productions, the ever present question has been that of a venue, pointing out that the Kilmore village hall was not suitable for large scale productions.
‘We brought ‘The King and I’ to the Dun Mhuire and that was very successful so when the question arose this year it was agreed that we shouldn’t go backwards and so we looked at town venues.’
She admitted that they all felt the National Opera House was out of their reach but when quotes and dates came back they decided to bite the bullet and go for the venue.
For Simmi herself, it will be a unique experience having never been on the opera house stage or one of its size, and it will be the same for many of the group.
‘The kids go to see shows in the house so for them to be able to say that they’ve performed there will be a marvellous experience for them. There is great buzz and excitement about the show.’
Founder member and current president of the group Josie Whelan said that the move to the iconic venue was both exciting and daunting but they were looking forward to the challenge.
‘For some, it will be their first time on stage but I’m always amazed by the talent of the young people and how quickly they learn. They are always so easy to work with and that comes from the fact that they love what they’re doing.’
The group is also celebrating its 30th anniversary, having begun largely as a fundraising venture in 1988 to raise money for the local school.
Over the years, it has evolved from a variety and Tops style group into a muscial theatre group, their first such production being ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in 2015, which was followed by ‘The King and I’ in December 2016.
‘Seussical’ will be the group’s third full musical production.
Josie said the group had taken part in Tops’ competitions for many years including the John Player Tops in the Dun Mhuire and, from 2001, the South East Tops in Taghmon in which they were very successful.
Over the years, there has been great participation from the local community, not just on the stage but behind the scenes as well.
Eileen Creevey has been involved for many years, most recently working as costume mistress on the musicals with Monica Connick. It is a family affair as her daughter Eileen (McCarthy) is a music teacher in Bridgetown Vocational College and is the director and musical director of this year’s show. The director’s husband Peter McCarthy is playing a role in the show as well as looking after set design and stage management.
Josie paid tribute to those who had played their part in the group over the years, people like Matt Reville who was involved every year up to the last show; Marion McNulty who, along with Josie, is the last of the founding members still involved; Kathleen Lawton who acted as musical director for many years; and Fr Denis Doyle who took part in, encouraged and supported the group down through the years. Local groups like the Ballycogley Players and the ICA also do their bit to give support, making every show a total community effort.
But for Mrs Creevey, the big draw for the local community is the children and the youth who take to the stage.
‘We always had a kids’ and a teenagers’ scene in the Tops shows and now, with the musicals, there are no auditions for the chorus – all are invited and are welcome. Anyone can come along, take part and enjoy it. It has always been part of the ethos that we want the local youth to be involved.’
The cast includes: Jeanette Sidney Kelly as the Cat in the Hat; Josh Quigley Power as Horton; Ailbe Kitts as Jojo; Emma O’Leary as Mayzie La Bird; Leah Busher as Gertrude; Nicola Roche as Sour Kangaroo; Peter McCarthy as General Schmitz; Éabha Crosbie, Eimear Fortune, Emma Murphy and Ciara Redmond as Bird Girls; and Evan Roche, Chloe Breen, Ciara Smith, Avril Rochford and Cara Willett as Wickershams.
Direction and musical direction is by Eileen McCarthy with choreography by Jonny Smith.