29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
See photos as ‘Shrek the Musical' is brought to life by Wicklow musical society
After months of planning, fundraising and rehearsals, the society reaped the rewards of all their efforts in their 43rd annual production and their first sell-out since the 2012 production of The Wizard of Oz.
Amy Penston was making her directorial debut for the society, having appeared on stage numerous times over the years, while musical director Conor McCarthy was musically directing for the first time for Avonmore and Martina Lynch, who has choreographed every show since the 2010 production of Seussical, returned as choreographer.
The show had a massive cast of 70 who sang, dance and acted, including Andrew Docherty (Shrek), Orlagh Sunderland (Donkey), Ellie Willoughby (Princess Fiona), Sean Hendley (Lord Farquaad) and Christine Dunne Firmo (Dragon), with so many others performing as part of the talented ensemble.
The society has a good mix of ages from young to not so young, with the most senior player this year being James Kearon (Pied Piper), who is a legend in Avonmore. Lauren Gammell played the part of teen Fiona, with the part of young Fiona being played by April Prestage and Amber Simmons.
The production team that brought the magic of Shrek had lots of help from Natasha Byrne on costumes, Sharon Kavanagh (hair and makeup), Mick Russell (set), Karen Kavanagh (props), Cathal O'Donohoe (lighting), Jason Fallon (sound) and their teams.
'I'm very proud of what the society has achieved in taking the much-loved story from the page to the stage,' Avonmore chairperson Patrick Bracken said.
'I'd like to acknowledge the massive financial support of local businesses, but especially Ryan Neary of R Neary Motors, who were the Avonmore main sponsors for the second year. I would like to say a massive thanks to Aidan Ward and all at St Mary's for their constant support by allowing the use of the school for all of Avonmore's shows.
'An enormous thanks to our hard-working committee led by secretary Nicole Forde, treasurer Tomas Byrne, PROs Rob Donnelly and Christine Nolan and committee members Aoife Coade, Dearbhla O'Connor, Colm Moules, Michael Russell and Stacey Myler.
'Finally, the society are so grateful to the thousands of audience members who return year after year and inspire the society to keep going and growing. Avonmore will be back in action soon planning for next Easter but for now it's time for a rest,' he said.
