Photos of a ‘musical journey’ for Kerry talent as Killarney show ends on high note

From Matilda to The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia to Hairspray, Godspell, Sister Act and Dear Evan Hansen, to Bugsy Malone and Beauty and the Beast. What an eclectic mix of musicals, something for everyone in the audience.

And just like The Late Late Toy Show’s adopted theme tune ‘Pure Imagination’, the evening began with one lucky child – roles alternating between Aoibheann Pavlovic and Lucy McCarthy – singing the dream-time song that introduced a world of mayhem, madness and marvellous music.

Killarney Musical Society’s ‘A Musical Journey’ played out to over 4,000 people across three nights – and one matinee – at Killarney’s INEC. It was expertly woven together, over 40 numbers performed by a 109-strong cast that included a children’s, teenage and adult chorus. Organisation was key, it had to be given the mammoth task ahead, as Killarney Musical Society Chairperson Bríd O’Callaghan explains.

“We began planning after our AGM in May last year and met with Musical Director Jimmy Brockie and Director Choreographer Oliver Hurley. We discussed the type of show we wanted and decided on a variety of musicals that would be suitable for different tastes, particularly as everyone was just coming out of Covid restrictions.”

“That’s why we included well-known musicals, as well as contemporary ones such as Godspell and Dear Evan Hansen which deals with a range of younger, social issues.”

Next up was casting and Bríd reveals how it was no small task either. “We held the auditions in September and had over 60 turn up. We were just blown away by the talent coming through the doors.

“We began rehearsals in mid September, meeting every Tuesday with children first for 45 minutes, teenagers for 45 minutes and adults for over an hour.”

As the longer evenings rolled in, rehearsals became more intense and Bríd says that by December they were meeting two nights a week, as well as on Sunday afternoons, with Choral Mistress Sorcha O’Connor, while Jack Brosnan and Stella O’Shea helped with reinforcing the numbers.

“This doesn’t happen by accident, there is so much that goes on behind the scenes too, including the back-stage crew, lighting crew, projection, props – we have 32 microphones – and costumes, front of house and those involved in the making of the programme.”

Add in a 17-strong orchestra to an already impressive set-up too.

Three packed nights, three standing ovations and as Deanne Staak belted out the finale with ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman, the audience rose to their feet having witnessed something rather exceptional.

Well done to all involved.