Lisnagarvey Operatic Society

So far many of the lead roles in this year’s production have been cast, but there are a few key parts yet to be filled.

Keep an eye out for updates!

Fiona MacKeith Claire Campbell

Meg Brockie Gillian McQuade

Jean MacKeith Louise Lemon

Maggie Abernethy not yet cast

Jane Ashton Vivian Shepherd

Jeff Douglas Gareth Aughey

Tommy Albright Tim Pentland

Harry Ritchie Grant Turnbull

Charlie Cameron Simon Cunningham

Mr Murdoch Roy McIlwrath

Donald Ritchie Victor Berry

MacGregor not yet cast

Andrew MacKeith not yet cast

Angus MacMonies not yet cast

Frank – bartender Desi Martin

Sandy Gary

Stuart Cameron not yet cast

DANCING AUDITIONS will take place in Dalboyne on Thursday 28th January at 7.30pm.   If you want to be one of the dancers you must be at ALL rehearsals.

Coming up this April is Lisnagarvey’s production of Brigadoon!

This classic Broadway musical was the first big hit for the magical team of Lerner and Loewe.  It tells the story of the mysterious Scottish village whose enchanted inhabitants remain invisible to the outside world except for one special day every hundred years.  On one such day two American tourists stumble upon the village and their arrival threatens the continuance of the miracle.

Lisnagarvey’s keen and experienced cast give a spirited and imaginative interpretation of this show complete with swinging kilts, bonnie lasses, droning bagpipes and wonderful romantic melodies.

The show runs from Tuesday 20th April – Saturday 24th April.

Tickets are: Tues £10, Wed & Thurs £12, Fri & Sat £14  - One free ticket for every ten booked.

Stay tuned for cast announcements and the poster!

Finally we can get a look at who will be treading the boards in this year’s panto!

Alderman Fitzwarren – David Gray

Hilda Humbug – Andy McKnight

Tom, Dick Whittington’s Cat – Hayley Spence

Dick Whittington – Claire Campbell

Lily Law – Vivian Shepherd

Idle Jack – Gareth Aughey

Alice Fitzwarren – Louise Lemon

Uriah Underhand – Tim Pentland

Captain Birdseye – Roy McIlwrath/Ian Milford

Bosun Bill – Stephen Brennan

Sultan of Morocco – Chris Craig

Princess Zara – Christina Lenzi

King Rat – Robert Cully

Producer – Ian Milford

Musical Director – Geoffrey Cherry

Choreographer – Gillian Jones

This year’s festive show is Dick Whittington and his Cat!

Performances run from 5th December to the 12th in the Lisburn Island Arts Centre and tickets are £9, although you can get one free ticket for every ten booked.

There are also matinee performances on the Saturdays.

Make sure you book early to be sure of getting tickets for this always popular event!

And now for the unveiling of this years Oklahoma! cast! Congratulations to all who got parts!!

Curly – Dean Johnston
Laurey - Orla McCormick
Will Parker – Rea Campbell
Ado Annie – Laura Higginson
Aunt Eller – Emily Dunwoody
Jud Fry – Ruaidhri Maguire
Ali Hakim – Stuart Archer
Gertie Cummins – Christina Lenzi
Andrew Carnes – Jordan Vient
Cord Elam – Adam McKendry

Also, the folks running the show are:

Director – Andrew McKnight
MD – Wilson Shields
Choreographer – Gillian Algie

It’s going to be a great run!

As you can see, the poster for this year’s Lisnagarvey Youth Society production has been added to the front page of the site.

Make sure you let any young ‘uns know about it so they can join in the show!

We’ve added a couple of new videos from Guys and Dolls tonight.

Over the next few months we hope to upload more videos from the ‘Garvey archives, but for now you can enjoy a song or two from the likes of Andrew Scott and Claire Campbell.

Courtesy of the Belfast Telegraph, here’s the unedited review of last week’s show:

Guys & Dolls

Lisnagarvey Operatic Society, Island Hall, Lisburn

Following a very dramatic production last year, this small local company has turned to a much lighter musical comedy this year, but – with good casting and direction from Ian Milford – nothing is left to chance … not even in a gambling-based show about dice-rollers and holy rollers.

From the streetscape soundtrack of its ‘keystone cops’ style opening to its happy ending, this entertaining and youthful production boasts authenticity in approach (with clever use of apt projections to cover certain scene changes) as it brings Damon Runyon’s characters to believable life.

These characterisations are so well realised by the talented gamblers (who also double as energetic dancers in Gillian Jones’ choreography, in both Havana and the Crapshooters’ Ballet) that, unusually, it is the Guys who upstage the Dolls here.

Tim Pentland (Nathan) displays a good voice and great comic timing and expression, while, Andy Scott (Sky) – reminiscent of Peter Corry when he first started out in musicals – shows the most potential with his natural acting approach and effortless singing.

Exceptionally good support here from Simon Cunningham (Nicely Nicely) and Rea Campbell (Benny) who get to shine in the title song, while experienced talent like Roy McIlwrath will always glow bright … even in a minor role.

Under David Thompson’s musical direction, the girls, Louise Lemon (Sarah) and Claire Campbell (Miss Adelaide), really hit the mark in the duet, Marry The Man Today, while other highlights include A Bushel And A Peck, Havana, My Time Of Day and the showstoppers, Luck Be A Lady and Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat.

Damien Murray

Thanks to all who came to see Guys and Dolls – it was great fun, despite one of our leading men breaking a bone in his foot on the second night!

Props mistress Anne Scott has provided some photos of the events leading up to the show for your enjoyment – thanks Anne!