Sit back and enjoy the magic of the swingin' sixties as St Mary’s Secondary School presents Hairsprayed from February 9 to 12 next. Curtain up in the Convent Hall at 8pm nightly.
St Mary’s Secondary School and musical success are almost synonymous terms – and after over three decades of sell-out shows, it is not hard to see why. Move over Broadway, the Ballina all-girls school on the hill has earned its place in lights with a track record of cleverly reworked classics which are given a new lease of life on the Convent Hall stage.
2016 is no exception with a 90-strong transition year cast spearheading this year’s original script of a swingin’ sixties show-stopper aptly entitled Hairsprayed. Added to that, a chorus of second year and fifth year students, and you get a small taste of the volume expected on stage — almost 200 voices, talents, and faces breathing life into a show that promises colour, music, song, dance, and plenty of drama.
And while entertainment is the order of the day, there are a few life lessons to be learned along the way – with this modern story addressing the timeless themes of racism, bigotry, bullying, and teamwork.
Hairsprayed is the latest in a very colourful tapestry of theatre, carefully woven by the girls of St Mary’s, under the guidance of director Peter McLoughlin, musical director Regina Deacy, and choreographer Annette Leonard. The team also incorporates the talents of the art department led by Renee Cronin and the team of home economics teachers, Marie Clarke, Regina Judge, and Anita Ginley, involved in costume preparation. This year’s show comes on foot of the 2015 extravaganza, Calamitous Jane and other hits of recent years, Phantom of the Paris Opera and The Sound of Music.
Principal Patsy Sweeney wished the cast and crew well in the upcoming shows. “Participation in our annual musical is not only the cultural highlight of transition year but also one of the greatest learning experiences of the year from a cross-curricular perspective," she said. "Friendships are forged, skills are honed, talents are nurtured, creativity is encouraged and challenges are overcome all in the atmosphere of convivial co-operation. “This year marks 33 years of stage productions for the school. The 2016 class will enjoy the opportunity to express themselves either through music, song, dance, drama, art, costumery, and media, while second year students are also afforded their first public performance as the very impressive chorus." This year’s show, Hairsprayed runs from February 9 to 12 with curtain up at 8pm sharp nightly, with proceeds from the opening night going to the St Muredach’s Cathedral Restoration Fund. Tickets can be purchased through the box office ticket line on (087 ) 469 7297. Adults €10 and students/OAPs €7.
