Wexford Light Opera Society officially launch ‘Phantom’

THERE was no need for any sales pitches or pleas for theatre patrons to pick up tickets as Wexford Light Opera Society (WLOS) hosted their latest production launch on Saturday night. The reason being, by the time the assembled crowd gathered at La Vista in the National Opera House for its official launch, their production of The Phantom of the Opera had long sold out.

It’s a true testament to both the stellar productions that WLOS have staged in the past and the timelessness of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s masterpiece that The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most anticipated shows of the year.

Rehearsals are well under way for the run from April 29 to May 4 and, given the restricted release by the rightsholders, it was simply not possible to extend the run beyond that, leaving plenty disappointed.

Doing the honours and officially launching the production was Aileen Donohue, who herself was part of the ensemble in the West End Company production of Phantom some years back, while Chairperson Colin Murphy acknowledged the huge effort that goes into staging a production like this and all the unsung heroes behind the scenes.

Director Christine Scarry then introduced the cast, consisting of Tony Carty as The Phantom; Karla Tracey as Christine Daaé; Daniel Furlong as Raoul; Tony Brennan as Richard Firmin; Pat Lawlor as Gilles André; Carlotta Giudicelli as Ami Stahlut; Nicola Roche as Madame Giry; George Lawlor as Ubaldo Piangi; Dylan Walsh as Monsieur Reyer; Niamh Cullen as Meg Giry; Eric Hayes as Joseph Buquet; Catherine Walsh as Confidante (in il Muto); James McDermott as Passarino and Stephen Byrne as Auctioneer.

The show will be directed by Christine Scarry with David Hayes as Musical Director, Eithne Corrigan as Chorus Mistress and Thérése O’Sullivan as Choreographer.