Mayo students' Little Shop of Horrors brings nothing but delight
THEY sang, they danced, they acted their socks off. This year’s Sacred Heart School musical was a joy from beginning to end as Howard Ashman’s Little Shop of Horrors turned out to be the perfect musical for this extremely talented bunch of students at the Westport school.
Kaylin Hunter was truly exceptional in the role of Seymour and a perfect pairing with the wonderful Kyla Rose-Rabbette’s Audrey. Special mention must go to Lily McGreevy’s offstage voicing of the plant - her soulful vocals were made for this role.
Millie O’Hora’s comedic acting really brought life to Mr. Mushnik and Maud McCabe was born to play the role of Orin, the demonic dentist.
The Greek chorus, aka The Good and Bad Ronettes (Ailbhe Duffy, Faye Thornton, Doireann Guilfoyle, Grainne Muldoon, Aoife McNamara and Alia Duane), kept the story running with their strong vocals and their epic shimmying.
The primary school children in the matinees were particularly thrilled by the ever-increasing plant and thanks to superb puppetry by Loretta Clarke and Ms. Flattery quite a few audience members were left in fear that they might be the plant’s next supper!
Other cast members Aisling Walshe, Erin Robinson, Nadine Derrig, Lauren Maloney, Kate Ryan, Eleanor McNally all provided lots of memorable moments and kept the audience riveted from start to finish.
Audience members commented on the highly professional sets, staging and production and it felt like a little bit of the West End had come to the West-Port! Thanks to the in-house art department and wonderful TY students for really raising the bar.
The lighting and musicians added to the foreboding atmosphere and provided helpful prompts so all knew when to laugh and when not to!
A huge debt of gratitude is owed to Ms. Marina Rice for her astute and nuanced direction. She comes with a huge wealth of experience and was able to bring her unique vision to life on stage.
She herself was so impressed at the SHS students’ ability to react and take her direction; at their persistent focus and determination to succeed.
Thanks also to the highly experienced music department, Rachel Reed and Jacqueline Flattery, art department Sinead Breslin, catering Team heralded by Margaret Ryder and powerhouse Margaret Donnelly, TY coordinator.
It has to be said that in the spirit of ar scáth na chéile a mhaireann na daoine, this was a whole school effort. From the second years who sold raffle tickets, the first years who catered for the visiting primary school teachers, the fifth years who ushered the littlest audience members to and from their seats, wonderful office staff, all teachers who supervised and volunteered their own time, families who did all the drop-offs and pick-ups at all hours, and the students who came along to the performances and clapped and cheered for their fellow students… a big thanks to you all.