Ballina’s St Mary’s Secondary School marks the 30th anniversary of its proud tradition of musical theatre with a unique take on a classic – The Sound of ‘Modern’ Music.
The stage is set for the four-night show running from Tuesday, October 23, to Friday October 26, inclusive with curtain up in the Convent Hall at 8pm sharp nightly, it promises to be a great run of entertainment, drama, song, and dance.
Set in 1930s Austria, the story is based on a young postulant named Maria Hoffmann who is sent as a governess to the home of Austrian naval captain Georg Von Trapp, a widowed father of six children. While there, Maria encounters all kinds of upheavals and dramas, while all the time in the background looms the German annexation of Austria in 1938.
St Mary’s presents this classic tale punctuated by some old sing-along favourites, as well as many modern surprises which help tell the story not only of Maria and the captain, but also of Liesl, the oldest Von Trapp girl and her sweetheart, Rolfe.
The all-girls Ballina school is no stranger to the bright lights. The Sound of ‘Modern’ Music is its 30th musical - making St Mary’s not just top of the town, from its elevation on Convent Hill, but top of the school musical circuit.
Director Peter McLoughlin says this year “marks a very special milestone for St Mary’s. For this, our 30th show, we really wanted to underline this occasion with something extra special. The Sound of ‘Modern’ Music updates the story but retains all the classical elements of theatre.”
The production is the culmination of weeks of work at the Ballina school. “The transition year experience is all about teamwork. A production such as this could not take place without the sterling efforts of the musical team: producer, Angela Donoghue; choreographer, Annette Leonard; musical director, Regina Deacy; and assistant musical director, Ursula Holian.”
The director also paid tribute to the entire student body and staff, particularly those from the art, home economics, drama, and LCVP departments.
“Everyone works as a unit to make the stage come to life. The musical simply would not be possible without the time and effort of all the people involved from the principal, management, parents’ association, to the all staff and students,” he added.
Principal Mrs Patsy Sweeney wished the cast and crew well in the upcoming shows.
Tickets are priced at €10 for adults and €6 for students and OAPs. The ticket line is now open on 087 185 0722. Book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as seats are selling fast.
