18/04/2013
The reviews are in...from Munster Express critic Liam Murphy...
HIGH SCHOOL FESTIVAL REVIEW High School Festival
Vicki Graham has succeeded and made the only remaining aspect of the Waterford International Music Festival, that came after WIFLO, a significant theatrical event at the Theatre Royal. It was to have been a three day event, but due to problems we got two short-form (50 mins) shows on the Friday from Dungarvan's Encore Stage Academy and Gorey Community School. On the Saturday with a 7.30 start, there were three shows, from Mallow, Malahide and Dunboyne, and these brought a strong orchestral pit as well. Sharon Clancy provided professional adjudication and brought great energy, enthusiasm that has given her a West End presence, as well as a career in theatre, television and film. Her comments were supportive and encouraging.
Lynda Lawton of Lawton Media brought the information and organisation up a significant notch, with increased sponsorship. There was an informative programme, and expert technical assistance from the Theatre Royal. Eoin Sheridan worked miracles with lighting and the doyen of sound men, Vinnie Osbourne was on top form.
On the Saturday it was great to see a capacity audience with a double-decker and two other buses outside the theatre.
Friday Night
Encore Stage Academy, Dungarvan opened the Festival with a Glee style version of Disney's Camp Rock, with touches of Annie and Mathilda. The energy was impressive for, This Is Our Song, and Brand New Day. Julie Sheehan lit up the stage as Mitchie with, This Is Me. Caoimhe O'Dwyer delighted with, Naughty, and Roisin Drummy shone with, Revolting Children. Patrick O'Dwyer was rocking for, Live While We're Young, and Molly De Paor Kavanagh with Eimear Donnelly brought attack to, Take A Bow. Sarah Nyhan impressed with, Maybe, and Hannah O'Donoghue and friends gave, Hard Knock Life, a rousing impact. Can't Back Down rocked this show to an energetic finale.
Gorey Community School provided a tight and well directed Footloose with some fine dramatic and emotive moments. Clodagh Cecil directed, and Megan McEvoy choreographed a large chorus. Scene changes were smooth. On Any Sunday had a gospel quality as the strangeness of the town where dancing was banned emerged. Colin Doran was an authoritarian Rev Shaw and Jack McEvoy was wonderful as the confused hero, trying to cope in a new place. The impact of a trio of girls in, Somebody's Eyes, was special with Kelsey Feeney, Fauve Byrne and Katie May Byrne in fine form. Molly McGuckin was splendid as Urleen and added much to the drama. Richard Deering as Willard, the Hick in the Hat brought great comedy and dancing to the role.
Holding On For a Hero, rocked the house and continued into, Let's Hear It For The Boy, with Fauve Byrne taking lead vocal. The pathos between Colin Doran and Jack McEvoy in, Can You Feel It In Your Heart, was a highpoint of the production.
Saturday Night
On the Saturday there was a great buzz of excitement and Centre Stage Mallow brought a classy orchestra, excellent costumes and fine soloists for Miss Saigon, with great dramatic tension and effects. Niamh Collins was a good Kim and Shane O'Riordan as Chris delighted in the, Sun And Moon duet. Sometimes the overall vocal work in the show was screechy. Michael Vaughan delivered a good, The American Dream.
The orchestral work for Malahide Community School's, Les Miserables was impressive under Aoife Keogh's direction. Due to the time constraints this turned into a concert version with splendid choral work. Aoife O'Donovan shone as Fantine and Jack Gamble was an impressive Jean Valjean, with great conviction and ability. Jack Shannon was a fine Javert, but his vocal duet with Valjean descended into shouting. Cliona O'Doherty as Madame Thenardier eclipsed other principals and, Do You Hear The People Sing, was such a powerful finale that merited the noisy standing ovation.
St. Peter's College Dunboyne, Co. Meath provided another Miss Saigon, with again impressive orchestral sounds and impressive leads despite a disjointed sequence. Carla Ryan was splendid as Kim and Leanne Bergin was strong as Ellen. Eoin O'Reilly was outstanding as The Engineer and was for me the star of stars at this festival.
Waterford Glee
Each night as the adjudicator assembled her notes, Waterford Glee Club provided a top class selection. Carrie Mullane delivered a sincere, I'm Not That Girl. Sarah Corcoran was splendid with, Quiet. Rebecca Shanahan was impressive in, Naughty, and Alex Collins and Emma Walsh were the business with, Little People. Siobhan Ryan excelled in a demanding dance routine, and Evan Croke was electric in, Video Killed The Radio Star. Evan O'Hanlon was every inch the entertainer with Candy.
Results
Sharon Clancy impressed with her adjudication and declared the winners as follows:
Best Show: Les Miserables (Malahide)
Runner Up: Footloose (Gorey)
Best Male Performer: Jack McEvoy (Gorey)
Best Female Performer: Aoife O'Donovan (Malahide)
Best Male Singer: Jack Gamble (Malahide)
Best Female Singer: Carla Ryan (Dunboyne)
Best Comedy: Cliona O'Doherty (Malahide)
Best Scene: Mallow's, Nightmare from,Miss Saigon
Adjudicator's Special Award: Mathilda Sequence (Dungarvan)
