Sharon Molloy as Rose leads the Cockney Chorus
Starlight’s presentation of “The Likes of Us” musical last week at the Watergate Theatre has been hailed by many as the groups best show to date.
Charlie, Cian, Alan and Shane - some of the Orphan boys
Wonderful set, superb lighting and fantastic costumes added so much to the polished perfomances of a very talented Starlight cast and chorus.
Cockney Girls Chorus
Finally the wait was over and “The Likes Of Us” opened at the Watergate Theatre last night. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance and comments have been flooding in to the cast and crew today. It should mean that the run will go down well which will please the Starlight group who were nervous about staging this new show.
Sample of some of the messages received today about Opening Night -
” Last nights performance was absolutely AMAZING, we all loved it so much, best of luck for the rest of the run, we’re coming back again to see it tomorrow night! “
” I really and truly enjoyed the show so much - I think its the best show Starlight have staged to date ! “
” we’ve just left the opening night of the show and found it delightful - what good work is being done to involved young people in the performing arts and getting them involved in such a big show Well done
Starlight’s latest production “The Likes Of Us” opens at the Watergate Theatre on Wednesday the 3rd of June. The show written by the multi award winning Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is based on the true story of Dr Thomas Barnardo (founder of the Barnardos Charity).
For the Starlight cast members this is a very busy but exciting time as they work trying to have everything prepared for the Opening night which is only 10 days away now. Full Runs of Act One have been going ok and this coming week Act Two will be run a couple of times before running the full show at the weekend prior to Technical and Dress Rehearsals. Of course the cast have lines to brush up on, song lyrics and dance steps to have ready excited about the first performance.
However more importantly at this stage of any production the behind the scenes team are working around the clock with Set Construction and Painting; Gathering and Making Props; Costume Fittings, Cleaning and Alterations; Technical Meetings; Backstage Crew Rehearsals; Compiling the Programme; Sorting out Raffle etc. Of course no audience member ever sees any of this work taking place but without these jobs being done there would be no show!!!
To see the fruits of the Production Teams labour come along to see “The Likes Of Us” at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny next week from Wed 3rd - Sat 6th of June at 8pm nightly. Booking is at the Watergate Box Office on 056 77 61674 with tickets € 12.00 and € 10.00 concessions.
KILKENNY’S STARLIGHT PRESENT NEW ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER SHOW
Press Release 5th of May 2009
Starlight Stage Productions celebrate their 5th year in 2009 and are delighted to be one of the first Irish groups to stage a production of “The Likes Of Us” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The show based on the true story of Barnardo’s Charity founder Thomas Barnardo was originally written back in 1965 but has only recently been re worked and released for performance.
The show’s Director Jason Paul Ryan, a massive Andrew Lloyd Webber fan, had heard of the imminent release of the rights and immediately got in touch with Lloyd Webber’s company in London. Then in Septemeber of last year My Ryan received the good news and plans for a 2009 production got under way.
The show will be staged next month at the Watergate and five years ago Starlight Stage Productions staged their first show in June 2004 at the Castlecomer Community Hall. Things have gone from strength to strength since then with the company staging hit shows in both Kilkenny and Carlow such as “Annie”, “High School Musical”, “Back to The 80’s”, “Puppy Love” (Tour) and the Irish Theatre Premiere of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” which rocked the Watergate in 2007 and was highly acclaimed far and wide.
Rehearsals for “The Likes Of Us” are currently in full swing as the cast and crew work hard to ensure this will be a memorable event for their faithful Kilkenny audiences. Staging any Andrew Lloyd Webber production is an exciting thing and in this case particularly as Starlight are one of only two Irish groups granted the rights for this show thus far.
Associate Director Sharon Molloy believes that audiences are in for a pleasant surprise when they come to see this show. Being an unknown musical people may not immediately know the music but once you hear it it will grow on you with wonderful trademark Lloyd Webber melodies and plenty of lively cockney choruses very much in the style of family favourite “Oliver”. Musical Director for the show is Vincent Crowley who has been responsible for wonderful music in the Watergate Pantomimes and Vincent is delighted to be part of the Starlight production team for this unique event.
The Cast is very strong with many familiar Starlight faces such as Jason Paul Ryan (Barnardo), Sharon Molloy (Rose), Amy Mullholland (Syrie), Martin Molloy (Stan), Darragh Doyle (Lord Shaftesbury) and Jack O Connor (The Auctioneer). However it is the new members of the group that will add even more depth to the quality of the production. Well known Rathdowney based poet, writer, director, actor Micheal Creagh will star as the Narrator, a witty narrative role created by Stephen Fry, and Micheal states that he will try to ‘outFRY even Stephen’ with his performance. Micheal has numerous TV credits to his name including “Fair City”, “Crimeline” and “Nationwide” who recently did a whole piece on him.
Other cast members include the likeable two young cockneys Johnny and Jenny are played by exciting young talents Connor Brassil (Kilkenny) and Molly Keana (Carlow). 12 year old Sean Lennon who is well known from his appearance on the All Ireland Talent show plays one of the leading orphans Alfie. Alan Butler and Thomas Molloy are two more newcomers playing adult roles Bill and The Prime Minister respectively. With their usual blend of experience from the adults, talented teenagers and energetic children Starlight’s shows are always exciting.
“The Likes Of Us” opens of Wed 3rd of June and runs for 4 nights up to Sat 6th of June at 8pm nightly. Booking is now open at the Watergate Theatre Box Office on 056 77 61674 . Tickets cost € 12.00 with Opening night concessions of € 10.00. Great value for an excellent musical production. Visit www.thelikesofus.net for more information on the show.