“THE LIKES OF US” - BOOKING NOW OPEN
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.