THE MUSICAL
SOUVENIR BROCHURE PRINCIPAL
FUNDER
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN On behalf of Belfast Operatic Company, may I welcome you to what promises to be another spectacular production in this beautiful theatre, The Grand Opera House, Belfast. We find ourselves here for the second time this season, ‘hot on the heels’ of what was another ground-breaking musical adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ last November. When I became the chair of this company last year, I never imagined I would be writing another programme foreword so soon after the last!
presents...
JAMES HUISH Chairman
This time we have taken on the challenge of one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s lesser known musicals ‘Cinderella’. Recently revived for Broadway and having been nominated for a number of Tony awards, it was the perfect time to bring this beautiful score to Belfast audiences, and we were delighted to be granted performance rights while the show is still running on Broadway - a rarity for any amateur company. Originally written for Julie Andrews as a live television-theatre collaborated broadcast, the musical has been revived time and time again, including a Disney adaptation starring Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg and Bernadette Peters. Now our very own Alice Johnston lives out her ‘Cinderella’ dream on this stage.
Belfast Operatic Company are a group of friends and colleagues from all walks of life; brought together by their love of theatre and music - and in a sense have become a family through their love of performing together. Each individual on stage has contributed a lot of hard work and dedication in a shorter than usual rehearsal schedule to maintain a professional standard while balancing work and family commitments.
A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY
TUE 14 - SAT 18 APRIL 2015 TH
PRINCIPAL
FUNDER
Box Office: 028 9024 1919 or book online at www.goh.co.uk
TH
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Glen Slater Book by Cheri & Bill Steinkellner Additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane
An amateur production by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd. on behalf of MTI New York
I would like to take this opportunity to thank every member of the Company for their time, energy and dedication to the show and for making rehearsals fun and exciting. Special thanks too are due to the huge support network which you don’t see on stage, from the Committee who have supported me this year, to the various teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make every aspect of the show reflect our Director’s vision. Thanks are also due to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, who without generous funding we would not have been able to stage such a lavish production. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank you, our audience, for your continuing support of Belfast Operatic Company. I invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy tonight’s performance; and if you are interested in learning more about the company, forthcoming shows and concerts, or how you can get involved, please contact us via e-mail (secretary@ belfastoperatic.co.uk), follow us at facebook. com/belfastoperatic or you can Tweet us @ belfastoperatic or on Twitter.com/belfastoperatic We would love to hear from you!
A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT
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Lisnagarvey Youth Society presents...
The
Wizard Oz
28th - 30th August, Island Hall, Lisburn
of
A GIANT OF A PANTOMIME
Tickets £10 - available from Box Office www.laganvalleyisland.co.uk 028 9250 9254
Lisnagarvey bring their annual pantomime back to the Island Hall this year with ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.’ Saturday 6th - Saturday 13th December 2014, Island Hall, Lisburn
THOMPSON STEELE President
Welcome to Belfast Operatic Company’s twenty-sixth production at The Grand Opera House, Belfast. Many of you, just like me, may have been surprised to learn that Rogers and Hammerstein II wrote a show entitled ‘Cinderella’. This talented duo for a period of forty years dominated the Broadway stage with such musicals as ‘Oklahoma’, ‘South Pacific’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘The King and I’, and ‘Carousel’. During the past fifty four years the Belfast Operatic Company has only performed one of their shows, ‘Oklahoma’. In the spring of 1994, the company stage the show at The Grand Opera House and in the autumn of that year it was our entry for the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. We have however, presented two concerts devoted entirely to their work, along with The Studio Symphony Orchestra.
Rehearsals for ‘Cinderella’, commenced very shortly after the final curtain came down on ‘A Christmas Carol’ and since then our production team of Wilfie Pyper, Colin Scott, Anne Gillespie, Jennifer Rooney, Timothy Bell, Carole McClure, Margaret Mehaffey and Clare Donnelly, have been extremely busy bringing this show to fruition. So sit back and enjoy the finished article. Thank you for your continued and valued support.
MUSICAL SYNOPSIS The action takes place once upon a time in a kingdom far away. ACT I Prologue
Scene 1: The Village Square The sweetest sounds The Prince is giving a ball
ACT II
The Fairy Godmother, Cinderella and the Ensemble Cinderella and Christopher Lionel, the Stepfamily, Cinderella and the Villagers
Scene 2: The Stepmother’s Manor House – immediately following In my own little corner Scene 3: The Royal Parlour – immediately following Boys and Girls like you and me Reprise: The sweetest sounds Scene 4: The Manor House – one week later Reprise: In my own little corner
Entr’acte Scene 1: The Royal Ballroom Gavotte Loneliness of Evening The Cinderella Waltz Ten Minutes ago
Cinderella The King and Queen Christopher and Cinderella
Scene 2: The Royal Gardens – immediately following Stepsisters’ Lament Do I love you because you’re beautiful? Scene 3: Outside the Royal Palace – immediately following Reprise: Do I love you because you’re beautiful?
Christopher, the Maidens and other Guests Christopher Christopher, Cinderella and the Guests Christopher, Cinderella and the Company
Grace and Joy Christopher and Cinderella
Christopher, King, Queen and Cinderella
Cinderella
Scene 5: The Pumpkin Patch Behind the Manor House – immediately following Fol-de-rol The Fairy Godmother Impossible The Fairy Godmother and Cinderella The Transformation The Fairy Godmother and Cinderella It’s Possible – Finale Act 1 Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, Coachman and Footmen
Scene 4: The Manor House – later that night When you’re driving through the moonlight A lovely night Reprise: A lovely night
Cinderella, the Stepmother, Grace and Joy Cinderella, the Stepmother, Grace and Joy Cinderella
Scene 5: Throughout the Kingdom – the following day and night The search Lionel, Christopher and the Maidens Scene 6: The Manor House – the following morning Scene 7: The Wedding Finale There is music in you
The Fairy Godmother and the Company
DIGITAL : LITHO : LARGE FORMAT PRINT SPECIALISTS
Belfast Operatic Company gratefully acknowledge the financial support of Arts Council Northern Ireland
MacBook Pro
mediadesignandprint.com B1.06 Portview Trade Centre, 310 Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 1HE T: 028 9045 9864, E:
[email protected]
LESSANS RIDING STABLES A wide range of facilities and lessons available for all levels from beginner to expert, contact us to see what we do!
Let’s Be Friends! Support the Belfast Operatic Company by becoming our friend. Your support is invaluable to the Company which, in common with other amateur operatic companies in Northern Ireland have to raise their own funds to stage the high quality productions which we in BOC have been performing in the Grand Opera House for over 20 years. The continuing support of our Friends is an essential part of the lifeblood of the Company.
Why become a friend? • Enjoy our annual Friends evening • Keep up to date with company activities • Priority booking for shows and concerts How much does it cost? Special introductory offer for 2014 of • £15 per person OR • £20 per couple
For further information, please contact our Friends Co-Ordinator on
[email protected] or fill in the reverse of this flier and send by post to Mrs Joy Kerr, 42 Ferris Bay Road, Islandmagee, BT40 3RT
126 Monlough Rd, Saintfield, Ballynahinch BT24 7EU 028 9751 0141 www.lessansridingstables.com
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THE PRODUCTION TEAM DIRECTOR Wilfie Pyper
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Colin Scott
Director Wilfie Pyper is delighted to be working again with Belfast Operatic Company on this premier production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. He has spent a lifetime in theatre and is regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s leading musical theatre directors.
Colin Scott is probably one of the youngest Musical Directors on the amateur operatic scene in Ireland. Since our Company was founded in 1960 it has always had a reputation for outstanding choral singing and Colin has ensured that this fine quality has been well and truly maintained.
Wilfie has been resident director with Belfast Operatic Company for some 27 years. His catalogue of productions for them at The Grand Opera House include ‘Oklahoma’, ‘The Pirates Of Penzance’ (Broadway and traditional), ‘Show Boat’, ‘Brigadoon’, ‘The Mikado’, ‘Kiss Me Kate’, ‘Hello Dolly’ [twice], ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, ‘Calamity Jane’, ‘Fiddler on The Roof’ and ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ ‘Titanic the Musical’ (twice) and ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Included in these was the highly acclaimed Irish premiere of ‘Titanic the Musical’. The show swept the boards at the annual awards ceremony hosted by the Association of Irish Music Societies, gaining for Wilfie a Best Director Award. This organization recently recognized his work with another Best Director award for his highly acclaimed Grand Opera House production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. In 2012 he was awarded a further Best Director award for his Centenary production of ‘Titanic the Musical’, a year which also saw a Best Director award for ‘The Sound of Music’. This made him the first person in Northern Ireland to gain best director awards in both tiers of AIMS in the same year and the first in Ireland for seventeen years.
In 2006 Colin took up the baton for the first time at a very prestigious concert the Company had been asked to perform for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board at the old Harland & Wolff Drawing Office, the exact spot where the Titanic was designed. The programme provided for their enjoyment was excerpts from ‘Titanic The Musical’ which had been a huge Broadway hit in 1995 and the Company’s 2005 production. In late 2007 after the departure of our M.D. , Colin stepped onto the rostrum.
Wilfie has had the pleasure of directing Rush Musical Society in ‘God bless Archie Dean’, ‘Anything Goes’ and following a Dublin run of ‘Mac and Mabel’ he travelled with them on a tour to Sweden. For a number of years he has also directed the Lisnagarvey Operatic and Dramatic Society in the Island Centre, Lisburn and productions there include ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Oklahoma’, ‘Me and My Girl’, ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘Calamity Jane’, ‘Carousel’, ‘Pirates of Penzance’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘The Merry Widow’, ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and ‘The Sound of Music’. He was also delighted to direct the N.I. premier of ‘Meet Me in St Louis’ for the Fortwilliam Society at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
Unfortunately Colin’s professional career came to a swift halt in 2000 when an innate serious eye problem manifested itself. This brought him home to Belfast where he was accepted as a student nurse at Queens University, Belfast. After 3 years study he qualified as a State Registered Nurse and now works at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The Company has been very fortunate to be able to capitalise on what may have at first appeared to be a great misfortune for Colin. His family are thrilled that all his highly promising musical talent has not been wasted but rather exposed to theatre goers and concert patrons. Undoubtedly one of his greatest challenges with the Company was the musical programme for 2010. This was the year the Company celebrated its 50th Birthday in the Grand Opera House and Ulster hall. Colin was delighted when BOC won the Best Chorus at the AIMS Seminar for ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and also with the outstanding ovation received by the Company at the Ulster Hall - and since, in the centenary production of ‘Titanic The Musical’.
As well as being head of drama at the Belfast School of Performing Arts, Wilfie directs for schools throughout the province including St Mary’s College, Wellington College, Stranmillis PS, Sullivan Upper and this year makes his debut with Belfast High School’s production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. This season he has had the pleasure of already directing Sound of Music, Alice in Wonderland, A Christmads carol, Me and My girl and in June he has productions of Beauty and the Best and Bugsy Malone. Wilfie is regularly in demand as a performer, adjudicator and compere. In 2009 he received a Best Male Performer nomination in the multi award winning Dublin based Festival Production Company’s ‘Gondoliers’ at the prestigious international Gilbert and Sullivan festival in Buxton.
Since his primary school days he has perfected his musical education with a particular aptitude for playing brass instruments. He was fortunate to attend a high school where Jacqui Vance, Head of Music was an expert repetateur and musical director. This sowed a seed which caused him to pursue a career as a professional musician. He was enabled to do this when he won a scholarship to Trinity College, London. Throughout his time at college he worked extensively as a performer with All Souls Symphony Orchestra, Paddington Brass Ensemble, London Festival Orchestra and Spittlefield Opera House.
He has also recently founded the Belfast Pops Orchestra, a charitable orchestra made of professional musicians, who performed with the Belfast Operatic Company last year in their Christmas Concert in the Ulster Hall, and is looking forward to a repeat performance this year, once again at the Ulster Hall.
CHOREOGRAPHER Jennifer Rooney Jennifer Rooney is currently the Resident Movement Director on the musical 'Once' in London. She trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and began her career working for The Walt Disney Company (US) as a performer before building a career as a choreographer in Ireland. Event credits include, The Special Olympics Opening Ceremony (Croke Park Dublin), Children in Need Live (BBCNI), Belfast Fashion Week 2009, ‘Toccata’ (Tour of India and Africa), Maritime Festival (City Hall Belfast), Waterloo Ball (Belfast). Theatre credits include; ‘Teenage Kicks’ (Millennium Forum, Derry), ‘4 Quartets’ (Maiden Voyage Dance Company), ‘Sweet Charity’, ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’, ‘The Break’, Hatch (MAC Belfast), ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Oliver!’ (Stranmillis College Theatre), ‘Oklahoma’, ‘The Pirates of Penzance’, ‘Carousel’, ‘Anything Goes’ (The Ardowen Theatre, Enniskillen), ‘Nativity’ (Riverside Theatre, Coleraine), ‘The Mikado’ (Island Hall, Lisburn and Buxton Gilbert & Sullivan Festival 2013)
ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER Timothy Bell Timothy is delighted to have been asked to join Belfast Operatic Company’s production team for ‘Cinderella’ and he has had a wonderful time working alongside Jennifer Rooney, Wilfie and Colin. Tim's stage work began at the age of 4 with Mc Masters Stage School, Bangor, with whom he now teaches and choreographs. Over the years he has performed and choreographed with numerous societies and youth theatres in the north and workshops in Dublin with Festival Productions. Timothy won the Association of Irish Musical Societies Best Supporting Male Award in 2006 for his role as Will Parker in ‘Oklahoma’. He has worked with the National Youth Theatre, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Churchill Theatre Bromley and Qdos productions. Timothy was assistant choreographer for the Grand Opera House youth productions of ‘Bugsy Malone’, ‘Honk!’, ‘Annie’ and will assist on this years’ production of ‘Guys and Dolls’.
ACCOMPANIST Anne Gillespie Anne began playing the piano at the age of six under the tutelage of Phyllis Boyd in her home town of Ballycastle. She continued her musical studies at Ballycastle High School and was privileged to also study under Sister Colista at Cross and Passion College. Anne later went on to study Music and Education at Stranmillis College, Belfast where she completed her Grades in pianoforte from Trinity College, London and also studied for the performance diploma L.T.C.L. with Beatrice McGimpsey. Upon Graduation Anne was appointed music specialist at Mossgrove Primary School, well noted for its musical productions, which she enjoys directing and accompanying. She is a mother of two, and took a long break from professional playing whilst her daughters Laura and Gemma were growing up. Having raised her family, Anne returned to work as a professional accompanist in 2009. Her first major show was ‘Hello, Dolly!’ and since then Anne has worked extensively as accompanist with both company and non-company members. She is also accompanist for ‘Belfast School of Performing Arts’. Anne has thoroughly enjoyed working with the company on ‘Cinderella’ and is delighted to be taking part in this spectacular show with the company.
PRODUCTION MANAGER Carole McClure Carole is delighted to have been invited to work with Belfast Operatic Company for this production of ‘Cinderella the Musical’ and to have re-established her working relationship with both Wilfie Pyper and Colin Scott. Carole’s involvement with theatre began as a teenager when she first joined her church Drama Group and over the years has performed, choreographed, accompanied and directed. Along with over 30 years teaching experience requiring excellent organisational and personable skills, Carole brings a depth of experience to her position through her involvement with school productions as both Director and Musical Director. Carole was also a member of Belfast Operatic from 1996 to 2011 performing in the chorus and working as Production Manager from 2000. Recently Carole has been involved in the production of a few “Strictly Come Dancing” charity events and enjoyed working with Wilfie as a judge and a compere. Carole is the Head of a peripatetic service for the SEELB supporting pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties in west and south County Down and manages a large staff who support over 350 pupils. Carole has enjoyed working with Choreographers Jennifer Rooney and Tim Bell, both new to Belfast Operatic and is looking forward to renewing her working relationship with the Opera House Technical Team and the Company’s Technical Team again. She hopes that her role has helped to make all elements of the show run smoothly and would like to thank the Production Team and cast members for their very valued support.
Tuesday 30 September – Saturday 4 October Box Office: 028 9024 1919 Book Online: www.goh.co.uk Based on the Dickens novel it will engage you with its pathos and drama while delighting you with its outstanding musical numbers ‘Food, Glorious Food’, ‘I’d Do Anything’, ‘Where Is Love?’, ‘Consider Yourself ’, ‘As Long As He Needs Me’, ‘Who Will Buy’, ‘Oom-Pah-Pah’ and ‘Reviewing The Situation’ are just some of the Musical Theatre classics Music, Lyrics and Book by Lionel Bart Produced for the Broadway stage by David Merrick and Donald Albery
THE CAST Cinderella Fairy Godmother Christopher Lionel Stepmother Joy Grace Queen Constantina King Maximilian Baker Butcher Cheese Seller Cloth Merchant Young Cinderella
Alice Johnston Elizabeth Boyd Samuel Moore Jamie Clements Laura Kerr Kirsten Magee Rachel Brown Shirley Adair Ian McMaster Joff Manning Hall Graham Martin Bannon Keith Pyper Charlotte Houston
4 Village Ladies Karen Glass, Sarah Morrow, Megan Pentland, Diane Richardson 3 Village Sisters Ellen Mawhinney, Amy Chambers, Holly Topping Footmen Martin Bannon, Sean Roe, Hall Graham, David Young, Keith Pyper, Joff Manning
Dancers Amy Chambers, Jane Clarke, Hannah McVeigh, Ellen Mawhinney, Gemma Quigley, Lauren Russell, Shane Berger, Feildhim Brennan, Adam McIlveen, Joff Manning, Ashton Montgomery, Ciaran Conlon Female Chorus Sandra Benson, Lauren Callender, Emma Dawson, Karen Glass, Cathy Hewitt, Wendi Kane, Joy Kerr, Seanna Kerr, Heather McCloskey, Claire McRoberts, Tina McVeigh Heather Miller, Sarah Morrow, Aisling Owens, Alana Patterson, Megan Pentland, Diane Richardson, Hazel Robinson, Marion Taylor, Taylor Willis Male Chorus Martin Bannon, Jackie Brown, Hall Graham, Mark Leeman, Stephen McGurk, David Mehaffey, Keith Pyper, Gary Redpath, Sean Roe, David Rutherford, Ross White, David Young Children - (Belfast School of Performing Arts) Lewis Atcheson, Gemma Carlisle, Charlotte Houston, Eoin Kelly, Lucia McLaughlin, Michael Nevin, Holly Topping, Erin Tumilson, Georgia Wells
THE PRODUCTION TEAM Director Musical Director Choreographer Asst. Choreographer Production Manager Stage Manager Accompanist Set Design Lighting Design
Wilfie Pyper Colin Scott Jennifer Rooney Timothy Bell Carole McClure Clare Donnelly Anne Gillespie Scenic Projects Ltd Alistair Kerr, Ack Productions Sound Design Jody Trehy Studio 42 Sound, Dublin
Mic Fitting James Huish, Naomi Liberante, Thomas Hamilton, Jolene & Philippa O’Hara Costumes That Looks Good Wardrobe Mistress Margaret Mehaffey Wardrobe Team Catherine Harvey, Evelyn Stainer, Mary Hewitt, Maree Robinson, June Kirkpatrick, Diane Nevin, Katherine Nevin, Anne Preston, Maureen Steele Properties Mistress Miriam McDermott Properties Team Dot Fee, Brian Moore, Sarah Leeman, Valerie Greenlees Make-Up Artiste Asst. Make-Up Artiste Wigs Wig Mistress Assisted by
Shelly Blair Aisling Toner Derek Easton Wigs Sandra Byrne Siobhan Scullion
Stage Crew Colin McRoberts, Jonathan McRoberts, Jennie McRoberts, Chris Thompson, Andy McKnight, Julie Kane, Francine Hughes, Martin Bradley, Mal Hannah, Vijay Sharma, Scott McClure, Kathryn Brooker, Eric McClure, Graeme Hassard, James Huish Children’s Chaperones Melissa Patton, Carol Sykes, Martine Vitty, Nicole Smyth, Debbie Faulkner, Karen Topping Programme Design Gary Redpath Editorial Karen Glass Photography Davy Scott Photography Marketing Team Gary Redpath, Elizabeth Boyd, Debbie West, Cathy Hewitt, Ian McMaster, Iain Mercer, Anne Morrow, Wendi Kane Front of House Jennie McRoberts, Anne Morrow, Susan Taylor, Anne Stevenson, Debbie West, Margaret McCrory, Linda Hopley, Richard Couser, David Robinson, Natalie Cooke Pony supplied by Pony Handler Rats supplied by Special FX by
Lessans Riding Stables Kathryn Brooker Stacie Craig ACK Productions
THE CAST CINDERELLA Alice Johnston I have become avidly involved in the life of the Belfast Operatic Company and have appeared on the Grand Opera House Stage in several principal roles including Cupid, ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’, Minnie Fay, ‘Hello Dolly’, Belle in the company’s 50th Anniversary performance of the Disney classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’, Calamity, ‘Calamity Jane’, Caroline Neville in the Centenary production of ‘Titanic: The Musical’ and The Ghost of Christmas Past, ‘A Christmas Carol’. During the week I am kept very busy working as a Primary 2 teacher in Rosetta Primary school, which I totally adore! Out of the classroom, and off stage, I actively participate in children’s work within my church – the Salvation Army on the Cregagh Road, where I lead the children’s choir, help with Sunday school and assist with musical productions, dance and drama activities within the children’s church. I’m so excited to get the opportunity to play the role of another Disney princess after playing Belle in BOC’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the Grand Opera House in April 2010. I cannot wait to wear a beautiful ball gown, dance with a prince and have my very own pair of glass slippers! It will be wonderful to meet lots of little girls whose dream is to be a Disney princess, letting them know that they too could one day have their wish granted like I have! Getting to sing a Rodgers and Hammerstein score is also a real treat in itself.
PRINCE CHRISTOPHER Samuel Moore Samuel is 21 and hails from Newtownabbey, and is totally delighted to be playing Prince Christopher in this evening’s performance. Samuel is now appearing in his 3rd show for Belfast Operatic Company, having recently appeared as Marley in Belfast Operatic Company’s seasonal spectacular “A Christmas Carol” and Charles Clarke in the company’s award-winning production of “Titanic: The Musical”. Alongside performing with BOC, Samuel is also a founding member and keen advocate of Kandu Theatre, an ambitious group of young people passionately dedicated to delivering high quality entertainment to Belfast and beyond. Samuel loves music in general and also plays the guitar and bagpipes; in 2011 he was won the World Pipe Band Championships with Seven Towers Pipe Band. When not on stage Samuel works for PwC as a research developer and is also currently studying for a BSc in Computing Systems. Samuel would like to thank his family for their continued support throughout all his endeavours, without whom most of what he does would be impossible!
FAIRY GODMOTHER Elizabeth Ross Elizabeth joined Belfast Operatic Company in 1983 and has played many leading roles. Favourite appearances in the Grand Opera House include Kate in ‘Kiss Me Kate’, The title role in ‘The Merry Widow’, Eurydice in ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’, Katie Brown in ‘Calamity Jane’, and most of the Gilbert and Sullivan heroines. Apart from her involvement with BOC, Elizabeth is in demand as soloist with many of the province’s choral societies, with performances taking her all over Ireland. She appeared with the late James Ellis on Ulster Television, has broadcast often for both BBC and Downtown Radio and has joined the Ulster Orchestra and the Belfast Pops Orchestra as soloist in their concerts. In 2010 Elizabeth appeared as soloist in John Rutter’s ‘Magnificat’ in Belfast’s Waterfront Theatre, under the baton of the composer himself. In October 2008 Elizabeth presented her own one-woman show to sell out audiences next door in The Baby Grand. Following universal acclaim she returned there in October 2010 and plans are being finalised to bring an enhanced show to a larger audience in the Autumn of 2014.
LIONEL Jamie Clements Since delivering an acclaimed debut as the impish Artful Dodger in St Agnes’ ‘Oliver!’ at the tender age of 11, Jamie has grown quite familiar with the famous boards of the Grand Opera House stage. As a member of Belfast Operatic Company, he has donned the guise of a courtly Harold Bride in ‘Titanic: The Musical’ and more recently, a love-struck Young Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’. Through his medical education, Jamie has developed a proclivity for a very different type of ‘theatre’, winning the RCSEd National Students’ Surgical Skills Competition 2012/2013, in addition to such accolades as the Milroy Medal for Outstanding Performance in Physiology and Biochemistry, the Hayley Clarke Memorial Medal in Haematology and the RVH Malcolm Exhibition Prize in Medicine. This year, he has undertaken an intercalated Masters Degree in Research and is relishing the challenges of translational cancer medicine. Jamie is an avid sportsman and the current captain of Invictus Swimming Club. He placed 15th in Ireland in the 2014 CrossFit Open and is tentatively balancing his musical and academic commitments with preparations for the 2014 Titanic Games, where he will be representing an emergent Belfast-based box, CrossFit Castrum.
JOY Rachel Brown GRACE Kirsten Magee
Kirsten joined the company in 2008 after relocating here from her native Edinburgh. During her time in Edinburgh she performed regularly in the Kings Theatre, taking the roles of Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and Tuptim in ‘The King and I’. Her first show with Belfast Operatic Company was ‘Beauty and the Beast’ where she appeared as a Silly Girl alongside her stage sister Rachel! She then played Katie Brown in ‘Calamity Jane’ before taking some time out to have 2 babies. In ‘real life’ Kirsten is a commercial litigator with a leading Belfast law firm and is Head of Dance at Belfast School of Performing Arts. She choreographed the company’s 50th anniversary moved Ulster Hall concert and acted as Dance Captain for ‘Cinderella’. Kirsten is delighted to make her return to the Opera House stage as wicked stepsister Grace.
Rachel joined Belfast Operatic Company in 2007 for ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’. She has played Ermengarde in ‘Hello Dolly’ and a silly girl in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Rachel is really enjoying the experience of playing the part of Joy, one the ugly sisters in ‘Cinderella’. This is her biggest role to date with BOC and she thinks it is great to have the opportunity to work with such talented people. Rachel has been acting since the age of five and has been a member of the Belvoir Players since childhood. For the past seven years she has also been teaching speech and drama and musical theatre to all ages. Rachel is a psychology graduate from Queen’s University and now works for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust as a support worker for adults with disabilities. Rachel loves making use of her musical and dramatic skills as part of her work. As excited as Rachel is about performing in ‘Cinderella’ this week, it doesn’t come close to her ‘joy’ to be getting married in August!
STEP MOTHER Laura Kerr Laura is delighted to be back at The Grand Opera House, Belfast, playing the role of the Wicked Stepmother in Belfast Operatic Company’s production of ‘Cinderella’. A sharp contrast to her recent portrayal of Penny, the Fairy Godmother’s apprentice in the Lambeg Players Pantomime ‘Cinderella’ at Lisburn’s Island Centre in January! A member of BOC for several years, Laura’s other roles include Dolly Levi in ‘Hello Dolly’, Alice Beanne in ‘Titanic: The Musical’, Annie Oakley in ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, Adelaide Adams in ‘Calamity Jane’ and Mrs Fezziwig in ‘A Christmas Carol’. Earlier this year, Laura reprised the role of Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ at The National Concert Hall, Dublin. Laura is a Primary School Teacher and next week directs her school show, ‘Wizard of Oz’ in Lisburn’s Island Centre. Following this, Laura is straight into rehearsals for Sam Cree’s 3 act play, ‘Separate Beds’, playing Ivy, the house maid, with the Lambeg Players. Laura will be part of the production team for the Grand Opera House summer theatre project this year, ‘Guys and Dolls’.
QUEEN CONSTANTINA Shirley Adair
Shirley, a teacher from Larne, caught the acting bug while attending Carrickfergus Grammar School, playing the role of Katie Brown in ‘Calamity Jane’. She went on to study English and Theatre Studies at University of Ulster Coleraine appearing in various productions at The Riverside Theatre including ‘The Crucible’ and an abridged version of ‘The Hobbit’. After leaving university, she gained great experience with the New Irish Choir and Orchestra and during a four year stint with Castleward Opera she played minor roles in ‘Madame Butterfly’, ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and ‘Martha’. Shirley joined Belfast Operatic in 2001 and made her principal debut in 2005 playing Kate Murphy in the Irish premiere of ‘Titanic: The Musical’. She has since enjoyed playing various minor roles in the company productions including most recently Mother Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’ and performs as a concert soloist. Shirley is looking forward to playing the role of Queen Constantina who, for all her histrionics, truly loves her family and wants only the best for her son, the charming Prince Christopher.
KING MAXIMILLIAN Ian McMaster Ian joined BOC in 2007 after returning from working overseas for 2 years. Musical theatre was a new departure for him having originally trained in voice, brass (orchestral and brass bands) and piano. Combining this with a love of amateur dramatics after studying drama and music at University it seemed the obvious outlet. He loves being part of Belfast Operatic Company and always looks forward to the next show or concert where he has had opportunities to perform some solos and duets. As for casting and show roles he says it seems as though he has ‘progressed’ (or been promoted?) having come from being Trolley Pusher Number 2 in ‘Hello Dolly’ to a Knife in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to Bald Man in ‘Calamity Jane’ and now this, his first Principal role!! He was also part of last year’s very successful show ‘A Christmas Carol’ playing Mr Smythe and an Undertaker and a Drunk. Apart from performing with BOC Ian has also served on the committee and spent a short time as the company treasurer. When not at rehearsals or meetings Ian is Head of Learning & Development for BRC Partnership an international training and management company based in Northern Ireland which means lots of variety and working with many different people and organisations and at all levels. He has also recently launched SingergyNI which is a music based experience aimed at employees and organisations for team building and motivation.
THE ORCHESTRA
Cinderella The Musical featuring... The children of the Belfast School of Performing Arts
SUMMER YOUTH PROJECT Open to all aged 6 - 16 years!
FEAR July 2014
2 week Youth Project finishing with three performances in The Mac, Belfast. Auditions for lead roles will take place on the first day!
e-mail
[email protected] for further info or to register!
THE HEAT IS ON IN SAIGON
AMERICAN DREAM
BUI DOI
Wed 27th - Sat 30th August 2014 The Mac, Belfast Box Office - 028 9023 5053 or book online - www.themaclive.co.uk
Directed by JAMES HUISH. Original Stage Production by CAMERON MACKINTOSH Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG, Lyrics by RICHARD MALTBY JR & ALAIN BOUBLIL School Edition specially adapted & licensed by JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD on behalf of MTI and CAMERON MACKINTOSH
Leader Dervlagh Cooper Violin 1 Alys Jackson Violin 2 Kathleen Gillespie Cathy Magee Gough Hayley Howe Viola David Campbell Joel Lowry Cello David McCann Kerry Bryson Bass Martina Masterson Flute/Piccolo Richard Douglas Clarinet Gillian McCutcheon David Mayes Oboe/Cor Anglais Paul McCrisken Bassoon Patrick McEarlean Trumpet Al Wallace Phillip Ferguson Horns Charlie Doherty Dominic McHugh Laura Salt Trombone Jimmy Kitchen Timpani Colin Place Drums Brian Rice Keyboard Anne Gillespie Conductor Colin Scott
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
COMMITTEE
Belfast Operatic Company gratefully acknowledges the support of the following -
President Chairman Vice-chair Secretary Treasurer Friends Secretary
Belvoir Players Coastways Removal Davy Scott - Photography Media Design and Print Gary Redpath - Programme Design The Staff of the Grand Opera House June from ‘That Looks Good’ Wellington College Music Department Sullivan Upper Music Department Nikki Devlin & the Belfast City Council
Thompson Steele James Huish Richard Couser Tina McVeigh Liz Boyd Joy Kerr
Committee Members Linda Hopley, Gary Redpath, Keith Pyper, Iain Mercer, Hall Graham, Jennie McRoberts Company Auditor
Hilary Morrow
AIMS Reps Gary Redpath, Maureen Steele, Thompson Steele Librarian - David Young & Diane Richardson
Belfast Operatic Company presents...
Musical Director Colin Scott Orchestra led by Stephen Cullen
g fe at u r i n Belfast
pops
tra
Orches
Get your programme signed by Cinderella and Prince Christopher after the show!
December 6th 2014 The Ulster Hall, Belfast Box Office: 028 9033 4455 or Book Online at www.waterfront.co.uk Tickets cost £15, show starts 7.30pm
designed by www.navigatorblue.com
St. Ita’s Primary School, 4 Alderwood Hill, Belfast, BT8 6YY Monday 30th June-Friday 4th July 2014 8:30am-5:00pm Junior programme P.1 – P.3 Senior programme P.4 – P.7
Hon. Patron James Nesbitt
fully qualifie list ecia d sp
a te er ch s
Classes include art, mime, poetry, improvisation, hip hop and drama. Have fun and develop your creative side!
For information contact Mrs. Anne Carson 0771 0618289 or
[email protected] www.youthlyric.co.uk
