Musical Society celebrates cutting edge Sweeney
The final curtain fell on Sweeney Todd on Saturday, after a remarkable eight-night run staged by the Carrick-on-Suir Musical Society.
The superb team of cast and crew ensured that Tony Finnegan's amazing direction and Captain Fergal Carroll's inspired musical direction came to savage life on the Strand Theatre stage.
Audiences each night were enthralled, mesmerised, shattered almost, as the superb cast bled the last drop of tension from Stephen Sondheim's superlative classic.
The stage was choked with emotion, love, hate and blood, as Liam Butler's every note, word, action and gesture brought the demon that is Sweeney Todd to frightening life.
Emma Jane Reilly, the pie woman who aids and abets the murdering barber, got every nuance from her role, with great comic touches. The diabolical twosome was augmented in every way by a frontline on top of its game, from the flesh creepingly evil Judge Turpin of Derek Ryan, the crawling bully Beadle of Greg Porter, the supercilious charlatan Pirelli of Ray Collins, and the pitiful Lucy, the Beggar Woman, of Irene Malone.
Johanna, with the superlative voice of Triona O'Callaghan, ensconced in her ivory tower by her guardian the Judge, was superb, as was her lover, the sailor Anthony, in the 20-year-old hands of Emmet Donlon.
The other young man in the principal line-up, Matt Williams as Toby, the simple pieshop helper of Mrs Lovett, stole many scenes, belying his youthful years. Ray Nolan's Birdseller and Seamus Power's Fogg, in sinister charge of the asylum, completed what was a splendid frontline.
The troupe of ten that backed the principals made an excellent Greek chorus and the general chorus added great voice and atmosphere to a superlative production.
Full marks to Tony Finnegan's inspired direction, which made this a theatrical experience par excellence.. Much of this experience comes from the music and musical director Fergal Carroll controlled a marvellous orchestra that never put a foot, or finger, astray in Sondheim's intricate score.
Catriona O'Dwyer's principal and choral work shone through like a beacon, ensuring that Sweeney Todd surpassed the star-studded record of the Musical Society.
The blood flowed, the bodies mounted, but now Sweeney's lethal razors have been put to bed and all is peaceful again. Normality reigns.
After the final performance, the Society adjourned to the Carraig Hotel for a well deserved "knees-up", chat, a bit of grub and a drink. It was a very happy week, with a happy cast enjoying what they do so well - entertain.
It's feet-up time since, as all recharge their batteries after a wonderful week of brilliant theatre, leaving many happy memories of the Society's 92nd. Production.
The Musical Society extends sympathy to Society vice-chairman Aidan O'Doherty and to the O'Doherty family, on the recent death of Leo O'Doherty. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
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Weather for Clonmel
Saturday 04 February 2012
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