Thurles Information

I do not know how music lovers in the south of Ireland are going to find €20 by November 11th, in these recessionary times, but find it somehow they must.

After what can only be described as a sensational 10 night run in The Helix Theatre in Dublin last September, the cast of NYMT‘s Spring Awakening are now headed down ‘the Waterford way’.

This unbelievably talented cast which, I am happy to relate, include top Tipperary performers Chris Britton, Ed Leamy and Shane Willoughby, latter playing the role of ‘Georg‘, are preparing to take this incredible show to the Waterford  International Festival of Light Opera 2010.

The Most Exciting Piece Of Musical Theatre Ever To Be Staged In Ireland

Spring Awakening, which tells the story of teenagers who are discovering for the first time the inner and outer tumult of their sexuality, will take to the stage of the Theatre Royal on Thursday November 11th.

If you missed it the first time around, you now really have no excuse not to attend. This is a one night only event, so climb in through an open theatre window, dig an underground tunnel, get a Leader grant, distract the doormen or maybe simply buy a ticket. Miss this show and you’ll miss out on one of the most original and exciting pieces of musical theatre ever to take to the stage here in Ireland.

Remember the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera is regarded on the Irish theatre scene as the “Mother of All Festivals”  and is the premier event of its kind presently in Ireland. Congrats to all concerned, on your celebrating your 50th anniversary.

Expect a large contingent in attendance from the Premier County and remember we expect tea during the interval.

Tickets are available from the Theatre Royal website and you can book your seat by clicking HERE .

By the way Anne Marie, I’m deathly serious about the tea, – one sugar and a small drop of milk for me.

I attended the second nights performance of the Irish Premier of the landmark musical “Spring Awakening” in the Helix on Saturday last.

Spring Awakening.

Firstly, what a beautiful theatre and so easy to find for rural ‘hicks’ like myself, who rarely travel into the big smoke. This latter fact, plus the provision on the theatre’s doorstep of easy, cheap parking, had me relaxed and in stress-free mood long before the show began.

I was aware that “Spring Awakening” is a rock musical adaptation of the controversial 1891 German play of the same title, by Frank Wedekind and it featured music by Duncan Sheik with lyrics by Steven Sater.

Set in late-nineteenth century Germany, it concerns teenagers who are discovering the inner and outer tumult of sexuality, but more than that they are discovering that their emerging thoughts and feelings are not just individual and personal, rather part of the development of every young teenager. In the early 19th century, the original play was banned in Germany for a while, due to its portrayal of masturbation, abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide.

In the past Spring Awakening was nominated for eleven Tony Award, winning eight, including Tony’s for best musical, direction, book, score and featured actor. The show has also won four Drama Desk Awards, while its London production, last year, won four Olivier Awards.

With this endorsement and my passion for all things theatrical, it became essential that I should attend, together with some close friends.

Forget Broadway, The Helix May Never Be The Same Again!

For those of you planning to attend Spring Awakening, which will run for only the next four nights, let me tell you it is nothing short of exhilarating. It is a delightful electrifying fusion of comedy, sadness, morality, sexuality and rock and roll and should be made compulsory to attend.

This show is maybe somewhat adult in nature, in both theme and content and possibly not suitable for those under 16 years, but for everyone else it is a ‘must see‘.

The set is modern and well lit. The orchestra are a group of amazingly talented, well rehearsed and dedicated musician. The talent on stage is, I believe, unlike anything I have ever seen in previous shows.

Songs like “Mama Who Bore Me”, “The Bitch of Living”, “The Dark I Know Well”, “Touch Me”, “I Believe”, in act one, followed by “Totally Fucked”, “The Song of Purple Summer”, “Don’t Do Sadness/Blue Wind” in act two, to name just a few of the numbers, are delivered professionally with high energy and with obvious passion, by each performer.

Here is a perfect opportunity for RTE Hosts to up their ratings, by showing some new, exciting, talent on our TV sets, instead of the washed up performers currently forced upon us, nightly.

I can happily report that Musical Theatre in Ireland, unlike most else, is safe into the next half century. I am also happy to report that no fewer than three of those associated with this cast come from here in Co.Tipperary.

Well done Guys and Gals, I’ve got tickets again for Saturday.