Students from Second, Transition and Fifth Year have been very busy over the last number of weeks preparing for the recent production of Blood Brothers. The production was a staff and student collaboration and we were delighted that all the expertise was to be found from within our school community. Countless hours of hard work, encouragement, rehearsals went into the creation of this year’s School Musical from all of the people involved in the production.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the students involved to display their theatrical talents, to experience a different facet of school life and education and, very importantly, to bond as a group of young people. The experience they have had of being part of the Presentation College School Musical will remain with them for years to come and will form part of the happy memories of their time in Presentation College.

The Show Director was Mr David Doyle, the Musical Director: Ms Maeve Lyons, the Producer: Ms Fiona Watchorn, and the Choreographer was Mr David Doyle assisted by Abbie Nolan. The Production Team were: Ms Ann Coburn, Ms Edel Murphy, Ms Jacqui Quinn, Ms Gillian Moore, Ms Fiona Watchorn, Mr John Smyth, Ms Claire McHugh and Ms Orla O’Driscoll. The fabulous orchestra consisted of Ms Maeve Lyons, Aoife Kavanagh, Dara Abdurahman, Timmy Mohammed and Rebecca Mitchell. Mr John Smyth and Mr Noel O’Neill were the Technical Managers for the show. Sound was provided by Stephen Corry and Mr John Smyth was the Lighting Operator. He was assisted by the Lighting Crew consisting of Nikola Glowinska, Aoife Mulhall, Darragh Kelly and Joseph Gordon.

The fabulous stage, artwork and costumes were also the result of much talent and collaboration. Responsible for Stage Construction were: Mr Mike Ryan, Mr Dathaí Kelly, Mr Seán Murphy and students Patrick Rogers, Pádraig Thompson, Cormac McElligott and Giano Iulian Corea. Ms Ann Coburn and Ms Edel Murphy looked after Props and Stage Management. The Stage Crew were students: Pádraic Kelly, Cian Kelly, Jack Curran, Wicktor Pinski, Brian Foley and Clinton Ogbuka.

Costumes were organised by Ms Claire McHugh and Ms Orla O’Driscoll and they were assisted by their Costume Committee of Doireann Broderick, Emer Flynn, Darragh Reynolds, Ailís Coyne-Chapman, Meghan Jennings and Kaitlyn Colton.

Abigail Wilkinson designed the Poster and Set Design was looked after by the Art teachers Ms Jacqui Quinn and Ms Gillian Moore. The Set Painting was the work of Abagail Wilkinson, Cheuk Hin Yu, Robin Doyle, Talia Sheeran, Nessa Whelan, Zoe Garrigan, Katie Bannon, Shauna Murphy-Woods, Holly Charlwood, Emma Duffy, Eva McDonald, Franklyn Ailison and Emma Dowling. Ms Cumiskey was responsible for Photography.

And then we come to the talented actors who made up the Cast: Brian O’Sullivan played the role of Edward and Mikey was played by Aaron Smith. Eva Kavanagh was Mrs Johnstone and Aoife Lanigan Mrs Lyons. Sammy was played by Seán O’Driscoll and Abbie Nolan played the part of Linda. The four narrators were: Caithlin O’Neill, Erika Lyons, Karl McCluskey and Bobby Ho. Mr Lyons was played by Diego Lopez Clarke and Conor Whelan played both the Milkman and the Doctor. Edward Hutton and Alexander O’Brien were the Teachers and Radoslaw Latra was the Student. The two Policemen were Conor Duffy and Conor Murphy Ffrench and Katie Williams played the role of a Woman.  In addition to these main characters were many students from Second, Transition and Fifth Year.

Over the course of one week, members of the public got to experience ‘Blood Brothers’ come to life during two matinee performances to primary school pupils and teachers as well as three night time viewings which were enjoyed by everyone lucky enough to have been able to get a ticket. We are already looking forward to next year’s performance!