A small part of Carlow was transformed into Dickensian London over the weekend as Presentation College staged the classic musical, ‘Oliver!’ The stunning performances from Second, Transition and Fifth Year students brought the house down with five sold-out shows, beginning on October 20^th and running until October 24th. Audiences were treated to some of the finest local talent to be seen in Carlow, and the vitality and energy which radiated from the chorus left the audiences with glowing smiles.

                The cast, under the direction of David Doyle, (a past-pupil of the school and no stranger to the stage himself), were led by Joe Jennings in the title role, which he played to perfection, encapsulating the innocence and bravery that is Oliver, a young orphan who runs away from his miserable life in the pursuit of happiness. He ends up in London where he quickly meets the Artful Dodger (Thomas Sheehan) a streetwise young pickpocket and member of Fagin’s gang of thieves, who takes Oliver under his wing. He is then brought to Fagin’s hideout, a dark lair in the underbelly of London city, where he meets the man himself (played with fantastic comic timing by Transition Year student Daniel Jordan). It is here where Oliver’s misadventures take wing as he is led on a journey which will see his life in danger and where he will be reunited with his long lost family.

                Other notable performances were Nancy, played by Fifth Year student Megan O’Neill, in what can only be described as one of the most touching and heartfelt performances seen on a Carlow stage, and Bill Sikes, the villainous thug, played by Eamonn McMahon, with perfect aplomb. Each and every member of the hundred student strong chorus contributed to making this show as special as it was, playing their part with energy and enthusiasm which made the show bounce off the stage. The sets were a kaleidoscope of colour, designed by Ms. Jacqui Quinn and Ms. Gillian Moore and painted by some of the Transition Year students, and the Musical Direction was carried out under the hugely talented Music Teacher, Ms. Maeve Lyons.

                The music and singing in the show was a definite highlight, with such memorable songs as ‘Food Glorious Food’, ‘Consider Yourself’, ‘As Long as He Needs Me’ and the melodic masterpiece which was ‘Who Will Buy?’, the latter of which was a highlight for many of the audience members.

                The school begins the creative process of putting together a show as soon as term begins in September, and students from Second, Transition and Fifth Year as well as a great many of the teachers work tirelessly over the next couple of months to bring the musical to fruition. Sets, costumes, lights, sound and props are all designed by students of the school and it is a huge part of the school year for many of the students, who take great pride in their musical. After seeing the performance last weekend, many people are now anxiously awaiting Presentation College’s 2016 production.  To paraphrase from Oliver!, “Please Sir, we want some more!”