The Audition review

The Ardscoil na Mara Drama Club staged a full-length musical drama, The Audition, based on a short play by Dan Zolidis. The English teacher and Creative Director, Elaine O'Brien, devised the inspirational script. This allowed for a creative occasion with drama, music, dance, pastiche, and comedy. The work was cohesive and dealt with many issues relevant to young people, "I don't care Mam". There were hopes, fears, rebellion, and alienation as the future seemed daunting and at variance with changing values.

A seven-piece rock band strutted its stuff with Alfie Ireland, Diarmuid Wall, Ronan Walsh, Ruairi O'Byrne, Ben Walsh, Rory O'Sullivan and Afton O'Meara.

Billy Farrell was the onstage director conducting auditions for a school show, assisted by stage manager Daniel Andrews. They also sang, danced, and added verve and pace to this showcase production. They showed confidence and maturity. Chloe McCahill added a solo dance element as Yuma.

The attraction of this show was the characterisations that the audience enjoyed and took to heart. Elements of real life, of hopes and aspirations, exploration of roles like parent/young adult concepts, conflicts, and bullying (including parental bullying).

Evie Burke had smiles galore as the over-confident diva who had her own schoolboy agent, nicely realised by George McEvoy, who rocked out 'My Way'

Saoirse Farrell, Isabel Quilty, Rita Ni Mhaidin, Shane McGrath, Emma Flavin, Anna Power, Grace McCartan, Ciara O'Riordan, Kate Whelan, and Caitlin Perry added to the dramatic impact. Robyn Connolly excelled in a cameo as the girl who wanted to go to the toilet. Alex Wade impressed in military costume with a G&S patter song, 'Modern Major General'.

In a sympathetic duet, 'Waving Through A Window', Sophie Reynolds and Niamh O'Shea were luminous. Sophie wowed with the emotional, 'She Used To Be Mine' and Niamh rocked with 'Don't Rain On My Parade'

The dancing finale was a wow, and Erin Quinn impressed with her attractive and inventive choreography.

Ellen Jacob directed with ability, inventiveness and maturity, and Paul Downey was an excellent organiser and supportive teacher.

This was a fine example of the theatrical development in Tramore, ready to burst out onto a bigger stage.