Wizard of Oz Public A.I.M.S Critique
9 Arch Claregalway Musical Society,
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Budding actress Sarah Maguire renewed hostilities with comedy queen Amanda Stuart for the second successive year in this Peter Kennedy production.
In season 2013/14, while only 11-years-of-age, Ms Maguire as the eponymous heroine of Annie, crossed swords with Ms Stuart’s mean spirited Aggie Hannigan.
This time around her mature performance as Dorothy was pitched against Ms Stuart in the dual guise of ageing spinster Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West, two roles which the adult actress played with relish.
The big voiced Ms Maguire was a picture of wide-eyed innocence while Ms Stuart was green of face and black of heart although she had a tongue that always firmly in her cheek
It was also the second year in a row that the group fielded a big juvenile chorus at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre while Ms Maguire also renewed acquaintances with several other members of the Annie cast.
Tara Spelman was an excellent Scarecrow, loose-limbed with a terrific husky voice while Karl O’Doherty, engaging as Professor Marvel and slightly apologetic as the Wizard after being found out by the cowardly Lion, had found time not just to play the two roles but to work with the young ensemble as assistant to the director.
Michael Cooney, making his debut with the company as the Lion, displayed a big baritone voice and a feel for comedy while Jonathon Hopper, returning to the Society for the first time in four years, lent his pleasing tenor to the role of the Tin Man as the four intrepid heroes battled their way along the Yellow Brick Road.
David Lane was a typically busy gatekeeper to the Great Oz taking everything at face value; Annette Cavanagh was the epitome of a caring Aunt Em while Feargal Cavanagh made a kindly Uncle Henry who reserved his anger for the interfering Miss Gulch.
The Society also unearthed two more promising actors for the future in the shape of Laura Ni Cheallaigh and Michael Healy who comfortably slipped into the roles of the Mayor and Coroner of Munchkin land respectively.
This show, of course, also needs a canine presence and Hannah McCreanor’s beautiful little Shih Tzu pup in the role of Toto was unfazed by everything that was going on around him, even at times settling down on the floor and letting the world pass him by. He looked a stage veteran although he’s less than a year old.
Mr Kennedy’s prints were all over this production. The director also choreographed the show and helped design the set.
Shane Farrell, currently one of the busiest musical directors in Ireland, ensured the cast were musically prepared while extracting a big sound from a relatively small band.
The full house was a vindication of the Society’s decision to move into Galway’s most central venue.
John Grayden
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Budding actress Sarah Maguire renewed hostilities with comedy queen Amanda Stuart for the second successive year in this Peter Kennedy production.
In season 2013/14, while only 11-years-of-age, Ms Maguire as the eponymous heroine of Annie, crossed swords with Ms Stuart’s mean spirited Aggie Hannigan.
This time around her mature performance as Dorothy was pitched against Ms Stuart in the dual guise of ageing spinster Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West, two roles which the adult actress played with relish.
The big voiced Ms Maguire was a picture of wide-eyed innocence while Ms Stuart was green of face and black of heart although she had a tongue that always firmly in her cheek
It was also the second year in a row that the group fielded a big juvenile chorus at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre while Ms Maguire also renewed acquaintances with several other members of the Annie cast.
Tara Spelman was an excellent Scarecrow, loose-limbed with a terrific husky voice while Karl O’Doherty, engaging as Professor Marvel and slightly apologetic as the Wizard after being found out by the cowardly Lion, had found time not just to play the two roles but to work with the young ensemble as assistant to the director.
Michael Cooney, making his debut with the company as the Lion, displayed a big baritone voice and a feel for comedy while Jonathon Hopper, returning to the Society for the first time in four years, lent his pleasing tenor to the role of the Tin Man as the four intrepid heroes battled their way along the Yellow Brick Road.
David Lane was a typically busy gatekeeper to the Great Oz taking everything at face value; Annette Cavanagh was the epitome of a caring Aunt Em while Feargal Cavanagh made a kindly Uncle Henry who reserved his anger for the interfering Miss Gulch.
The Society also unearthed two more promising actors for the future in the shape of Laura Ni Cheallaigh and Michael Healy who comfortably slipped into the roles of the Mayor and Coroner of Munchkin land respectively.
This show, of course, also needs a canine presence and Hannah McCreanor’s beautiful little Shih Tzu pup in the role of Toto was unfazed by everything that was going on around him, even at times settling down on the floor and letting the world pass him by. He looked a stage veteran although he’s less than a year old.
Mr Kennedy’s prints were all over this production. The director also choreographed the show and helped design the set.
Shane Farrell, currently one of the busiest musical directors in Ireland, ensured the cast were musically prepared while extracting a big sound from a relatively small band.
The full house was a vindication of the Society’s decision to move into Galway’s most central venue.
John Grayden
