Writes Barry Cogan
The sound of music was heard again in Carrigaline over the weekend of Nov 4th-6th, as the Carrigaline Musical Society’s production of The Sound Of Music sold out five shows.
Maria was played by Maeve Murphy opposite Captain Von Trapp played by Rob Cogan. Both were cast pre-covid along with the 14 children (making up two sets of seven). Over two and a half years of zooms, pods, small group rehearsals and two postponed dates followed. It was fantastic to have a fully healthy cast and a full hall of appreciative audiences for each of the five shows.
Maeve, a native of Tipperary was supported by a large contingent from the Tipperary Musical Society for her first leading role and she blew us all away with her joy and enthusiasm for her part. Maeve was a natural Maria and created a lasting bond with her new Von Trapp children.
With two full junior casts working for so long, many of them have grown up together through the making of the show. The youngest auditioning at the age of eight and performing at age 11. A real comradery was built up, culminating in each child helping their double in the swift and many costume changes in each show.
All children attended all shows as a unit, ready and willing to go on as an understudy at the drop of a hat, which, was always a fear with Covid never too far from our minds. All 14 children surpassed themselves; acting, singing and dancing with energy and skills learned over the last few years. Many of them had never held a lead role before.
Newcomer to the stage Rob Cogan (Cogan’s Toyota/Circle K), portrayed Captain Von Trapp so well that he had the audience in tears during his beautiful and moving rendition of Edelweiss. He was able to capture the strict and softer sides of the Captain, switching with ease like a true pro.
All the hard work Rob and Maeve put in throughout the various lockdowns paid off in spades as they strutted the boards with confidence. Glen Barton (Max), Lorna Hughes (Elsa) and Angela Tanner (Mother Abbess) were also fantastic, along with the many chorus members who are always vital to all musicals.
The amazing cast was made up of 70 singing members, 36 of whom were named characters and the remaining ensemble of over 30 were the wonderful Carrigtwohill Gospel Choir who filled the hall with stereo sound as they made their way through the crowd to open the show and throughout the production under the direction of Aoibheann Carey-Philpott.
The society were so lucky to have had the adult chorus vocals under the guidance of Lorraine Crowley (singer, vocal coach and producer in her own right) and the children were prepared by Denise Crowley (currently working as a Musical Director in the West End in London). Denise had worked with CMS in their last two productions and flew over from London to help them reach the outstanding standards they achieved.
Read the rest of this story in a copy of this week's Carrigdhoun Newspaper
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