In May of last year, the incoming TYs were told that we would not be showcasing our talents in the form of a musical this year. I was very upset with this news as past TY students had said that the experience of producing their musical was the highlight of their TY. When we came back in September we were told we would be doing a variety show instead of a musical. The idea being that we would stage it for one night only. I was excited to hear this because I thought we would all get an equal opportunity to showcase our talents and abilities on the big stage.
We began rehearsing in early november which didn't leave a lot of time practise. We all thought that we would be rehearsing on a daily basis as we were so behind schedule however, that was not the case and we were sent to normal classes most days which was disappointing. We were told what musical exerpts we would be performing in the show and when my class got 'All Shook Up' I was very excited. Angela Didek came in one morning to prepare dances with us and we enjoyed this very much, however as it turns out that dance that we prepared was cut from the show altogether which I found very unusual and to be honest quite unfair also. After discussing the musical numbers with members of the other TY class, we found that they were doing Grease and we were all very excited. We then went on the plays we would be acting in. The other class got to act in the play 'Many Young Men of Twenty' written by John B. Keane. When we heard this we thought the play would be a great opportunity to get some stage time as there were many parts in the other classes play. We got the play 'Philadelphia Here I Come'. There were four parts in the play. I didn't fully understand this play and it completely went over my head eventhough those who acted in it were very good and portrayed their respective characters very well.
After the plays and musicals were cast we began to pay attention to other scenes in the show that would have to be cast. As I had not gotten parts in either the play or the musical, I was hoping for some part so I could say I was involved in our TY show. It turns out that I didn't get any part in the production however, I learned to take a step back and watch from the sidelines as the rest of the year showcased their talents and abilities as much as they could in the circumstances which is positive and was enjoyable in rehearsals as I didn't have anything to worry about, as I had no lines to learn or songs to sing.
I am aware that this variety show was formed to try and fill the void that was left by the absense of the musical which was cut due to financial difficulties which I can understand, I think Mr. Coughlan and Ms. Coyle did a great job to balance the history of the Irish republic and then the musical exerpts also. I don't really think I am in a position to comment on the affectiveness of the show on the year as I don't feel like I benefitted much from it but it went off without a hitch on Decmber 14th and that's all that matters.
We began rehearsing in early november which didn't leave a lot of time practise. We all thought that we would be rehearsing on a daily basis as we were so behind schedule however, that was not the case and we were sent to normal classes most days which was disappointing. We were told what musical exerpts we would be performing in the show and when my class got 'All Shook Up' I was very excited. Angela Didek came in one morning to prepare dances with us and we enjoyed this very much, however as it turns out that dance that we prepared was cut from the show altogether which I found very unusual and to be honest quite unfair also. After discussing the musical numbers with members of the other TY class, we found that they were doing Grease and we were all very excited. We then went on the plays we would be acting in. The other class got to act in the play 'Many Young Men of Twenty' written by John B. Keane. When we heard this we thought the play would be a great opportunity to get some stage time as there were many parts in the other classes play. We got the play 'Philadelphia Here I Come'. There were four parts in the play. I didn't fully understand this play and it completely went over my head eventhough those who acted in it were very good and portrayed their respective characters very well.
After the plays and musicals were cast we began to pay attention to other scenes in the show that would have to be cast. As I had not gotten parts in either the play or the musical, I was hoping for some part so I could say I was involved in our TY show. It turns out that I didn't get any part in the production however, I learned to take a step back and watch from the sidelines as the rest of the year showcased their talents and abilities as much as they could in the circumstances which is positive and was enjoyable in rehearsals as I didn't have anything to worry about, as I had no lines to learn or songs to sing.
I am aware that this variety show was formed to try and fill the void that was left by the absense of the musical which was cut due to financial difficulties which I can understand, I think Mr. Coughlan and Ms. Coyle did a great job to balance the history of the Irish republic and then the musical exerpts also. I don't really think I am in a position to comment on the affectiveness of the show on the year as I don't feel like I benefitted much from it but it went off without a hitch on Decmber 14th and that's all that matters.