By Áine Leech
Get ready for the most famous story-ever told to be brought to life this weekend as the Mullingar Musical society present Jesus Christ Superstar.
It might not qualify as a miracle, but with help from a choreographer, a set designer and a first-rate cast in Mullingar Musical Society, director Sean Lynch is reviving the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock musical.
This will be no ordinary performance of the hit musical by any means as Director Sean Lynch has done what no director of this musical has done before by casting all twelve apostles as women.
Last performed in Mullingar Arts Centre in the 1980s, Sean has been looking forward to adding this new twist. “This ‘girl-power’ move was one that all cast members, including the men, were very excited about,” says Sean.
Alongside this change of dynamics, Mullingar Arts Centre will be using large technical visuals, as the stage will be donned with three large screens. Cast member and visual creator, Shane Barkey, commented on the great technical display that is included this year. There will be a live feed and some shocking visuals, adding to the ‘wow-factor’. We’re taking our musicals to the next level.”
This award-winning rock opera has a Les Misérables style production as it as a sung-through performance with no dialogue. Strong vocal performances by the large cast of over forty members carry this opera and will have people singing along with the legendary songs “What’s the Buzz,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” and “Everything’s Alright”. The breath-taking music this year is under the watchful eye of Musical Director Lorcan Daly. Audiences will be happy to know that there will indeed be a live orchestra playing back-stage this year.
For a musical that is over forty years old it is refreshing to see the female twist to a mostly male-dominated play and the cast are equally nervous and eager to see audience reactions, “I am a bit nervous”, said Ray Purcell who plays Pontius Pilate. “It will be interesting to see how it will be received”.
Cast member Aisling Mukair was looking forward to opening night and explained her reaction when she first heard of the new twist.
“I just thought ‘why not?’ you know, it’s a very male-dominated play so it’s great to see athe women having their turn.”
Mullingar Musical Society have been working hard on this ultra-modern performance, working around their full-time jobs to dedicate time to this show. Many cast members are regular to the Mullingar Arts Centre scene with five to six fresh new faces.
Audiences can look forward to a performance from John Smyth from Mullingar who fits his role as Jesus so well that even his fellow cast members are constantly left in awe. Other leads include Siobhan Brady, Joanna MacDonagh, Maedhbh Hughes, Colette Dunning, John Quinn, Ray Purcell, John Daly and panto regular Paul Doolin.
As with all the Mullingar Musical Society productions (2014’s Oliver! and last year’s Annie to name but a few); time, dedication and perfection are the ingredients that have earned the Mullingar Musical Society the reputation as one of the best amateur theatre groups in the midlands.
Jesus Christ Superstar runs in the Mullingar Arts Centre from 21 to 28 September and from Wednesday, 28 September to Saturday, 1 October.
Tickets are €10 on opening night and €16/€14 thereafter. Contact the Mullingar Arts Centre on 044-934-7777 or www. mullingarartscentre.ie for tickets.
