Page 47 - The Gonzaga Record 1988
P. 47
audience saw David Reddy, creator of some surprise, much joy and a little
things that go bang in the night; Alan disappointment.
Lawlor, with his tapes of pirate attacks Christmas was nearly left to us but
and the unforgettable music for the cast rehearsals soon impinged. Called
dumb show scene (the only time music out into the cold air to travel to J ulian
has had an audience in stitches). Niall Morgan's house we little knew what to
O'Doherty, on lights, once again expect but soon learned - this opera
managed to make a lot out of a little was not a democratic affair and that
(including an assistant who couldn't Mr Murphy's word was law. Rehearsal
even turn the lights off properly). Niall went well for all present. After a certain
Connor presided with unshakeable initial shakiness the cast was officially
calm over an army of prop-finders, decided and all made it safely through
seamstresses and set-builders which to the performances.
ranged from Muckross to the Prep Rehearsals passed without incident
School (remember the rigging? Come into a cold hall with wet paint every-
to that, remember the Bench Which where - the stage crew was highly
Doesn't Exist?). efficient (no need for snow this year)
Under the benevolent dictatorship - and even the onset of the choruses
of Mr Bevan and Mr O'Connell we couldn't derail us. Everything was
created a show to remember. Some of going well, from the dance to the
us may continue in the theatre. We've carpet rolling and Mr Murphy seemed
come this far. And besides, anything happy in his own inimitable way. The
could happen yet. chorus felt his wrath a few times for
the usual uncertainty of their parts but
Barry Doherty (S.6A) otherwise everything was moving
smoothly. Even the dress rehearsal
didn't go too badly.
As first night drew near, confidence
THE OPERA increased and the show came together.

Tim Tuomey, contrary to first impres-
'Aghast at the Wedding' is something sions, could do it, and did on the night.
of an anomaly in the Gonzaga Patrick Flynn and Catherine Halloran
Operatic Cycle, for the days of Alpha made a lovely couple, and with Conor
Chemicals are long past and Anastatia Hillery and Emma Mclvor, a lovely
is, as yet, unvisited. Even Warbeck's quartet. Julian Morgan's rendition of
presence is denied us. So what is left? the Car Maintenance song will long be
A tale of marriage, intrigue, remembered, as will the car and its self-
kidnapping and the greatest restaurant will . The 'simultaneous' scene between
in all the land, Casa Luigi. Candleman (Justin McCarron) and the
Mr Murphy, highly organised as Ambassador (Rory Egan) worked very
always, ensured that rehearsals started well thanks to meticulous (and last
during October, as he put his minute) rehearsal. The dance and Rory
prospective Senior Chorus through O'Brien's Drunken Goat threatened to
their paces. Auditions quickly steal the show and were duly encored.
followed, marked at first by shaking Backstage was handled admirably by
knees and voices and by cries of 'I Manchan Magan and things never got
can't do it!' Accepting this as normal too far out of hand. The orchestra,
Mr Murphy strove to shape a cast from including a goodly number of Gonzaga
this assortment and, with second and and Muckross students, under the
third and speaking part auditions, did grizzled baton, performed to it usual
so. The provisional cast list was high standard. In fact, the whole
announced on the last day of term, to production was its customary ucce s


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