OVER the years since it opened its doors in 1979, Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon, has been renowned for all things musical.
Producing school musicals to a very high standard is very much part of its tradition and audiences across North Clare and further afield have been wowed by productions including ‘Oliver’, ‘Calamity Jane’, ‘Godspell’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Les Miserables’.
As Scoil Mhuire enters into amalgamation with the CBS and the Vocational School next year, its forthcoming show will be one like no other.
Staff and students have promised “an absolute feast of colour and song for the eyes and the ears”.
Rehearsals have been underway since September, under the watchful eyes of director and choreographer, Peter Kennedy and producer, Patricia Dooley.
The high standards set by previous productions have pushed the cast and crew to new levels.
Fittingly, the school will end its run of musicals by returning to its roots.
In 1994, Mary O’Loghlin, former music teacher, staged the first school production of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’.
The feeling was that it would be only fitting that Scoil Mhuire ends its successful foray into musical theatre with the same show, bringing the wheel full circle.
Although the musical has evolved over those 28 years, Ms O’Loughlin’s vision of commitment, teamwork, inclusivity and the development of each individual’s talents, remained at the heart of each and every production.
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ is a multi-award winning show which has been performed in over 80 countries worldwide and has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals.
The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre classics, including ‘Any Dream Will Do’, ‘Close Every Door To Me’, ‘There’s One More Angel In Heaven’ and ‘Go, Go, Go Joseph’.
This production, a colourful explosion of joy, sees Róisín Shannon in the role of Dreamcoat-wearing Joseph with Aimée O’Loghlin Ball and Mae Kivlehan sharing the role of the Narrator.
The iconic show follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph, who was sold into a life of hardship by his 11 jealous brothers.
Opening night is tonight, Thursday (November 17) at 8pm and the show will continue through Friday and Saturday, with the curtain rising at 8pm. Sunday’s performance is at 3pm and tickets can be purchased by contacting the ticket office on 065-7071224.