Bell Table hosts Irish premiere of Crusade

THE Irish premiere of Australian musical Crusade opened at the Bell Table in Limerick this week with a young cast of over 30.

Crusade is based on a true story, the Children’s Crusade in France in 1212,  when a group of poor children followed a charismatic young man who believed God had called him to lead a crusade against the Muslims in the Holy Land.

The Bell Table production brings together a cast made up primarily of children and young people, supported by a professional creative team.

It’s a musical mainly for young voices, with moving solos and rousing choruses, created by Craig Christie. This is the first time any of Christie’s work has been staged in Ireland.

Crusade’s timeless themes include idealism and betrayal, faith and love, optimism and despair.
Killaloe native Jared Nadin (20) is among the cast, which includes a children’s chorus, and an ensemble. Its story is told through the eyes of farm boy, Michael, his young sister, Helene, two convent girls, Catherine and Suzanne, and the shepherd boy at the centre of it all, Stephen of Cloyes. They are joined by The Piper, Meg, William and Hugh played by Jared Nadin.

Crusade was first presented by Craig Christie during his residency at an Australian secondary school in 1995. Three years later, it became the largest concert production ever of an original Australian musical when it premiered at Melbourne Concert Hall.

The Limerick premiere is directed by Richie Ryan and its musical director is Michael Young.

Crusade is the first offering in the Belltable’s autumn programme. It runs from Wednesday, August 29 to Saturday, September 8 with no performance on Sunday, September 2, and it runs nightly at 7.30pm.
For booking information visit www.belltable.ie or phone 061 319866.