Carmen: Ciana Croker; Schlomo: John Kearns
Serena: Emma Ring; Nick: Graham Hanlon
Tyrone: Merveil Mavunga; Iris: Anastasia Gulakova
Goodie: Chris Reid; Lambchops: Lauren Taaffe
Mabel: Gina Taft; Joe : Kevin Foran
Mrs Sheinkopf: Aoife McArdle; Miss Esther Sherman: Jacki Kendrik
Ms Greta Bell: Sarah Jayne Coyne; Mr Myers: Eoin Houlihan
Musical Director: Ms Jacqueline Dooley
Choreographer: Ms Deirdre Lumsden
Director: Damian Douglas
Fame 2010 - A Show stopper by the boys and girls of Moyle Park College and Colaiste Bride
Moyle Park's Transition Year and 5th yr boys together with Colaiste Bride's Transition Year and 2nd yr girls wowed their audiences for three consecutive nights this week Feb 9, 10 11 with their production of the 80's Musical 'FAME'.
The show was the culmination of months of hard work and rehearsal, beginning as far back as October last, with rehearsals taking place even on Sundays.
'FAME' is set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street (1980-1984). Just like their 80's counterparts the Clondalkin students, through the music, song and dance of 'FAME' explored the issues that confront young people everywhere today - prejudice, self-worth, sexuality and substance abuse.
This joint production is a showcase for what can be achieved with co-operation and coordination even in these economically challenging times. This is the second collaborative production between the two schools following their successful production of 'Grease' last year.
Great credit is due to both staff and students of both colleges for their achievement with this production which played to packed houses on all three nights.Click here for a short YouTube video from the show and click here for a YouTube set of photos of the show.
Pauline Cunningham
The Cast of Fame from Rehearsals (Photograph: Anthony Hopkins)
From left to right: Chris Reid, Emma Ring, Anastasia Gulakova, Graham Hanlon, Lauren Taaffe, Ciana Croker, Kevin Foran, Gina Taft and Merveil Mavunga
Fame 2010 - A Preliminary Report (Written to publicise the show)
Clondalkin and its surrounding areas will experience a throwback to the 80's when Fame - the Musical comes to town next week. A group of students from Moyle Park College and Coláiste Bríde will bring the 1980's hit to life in Colásite Bríde for three nights from Tuesday 9th to Thursday, 11th February.
Auditions and rehearsals for the hit musical began over 5 months ago under the keen watchful eyes of Dee Lumsden, Choreographer, Ms Dooley, Musical Director and Damien Duggan, Show Director.
According to sources close to the musical, this promises to be a night to remember "following on from the huge success of Grease, the musical last year, we wanted to produce a show with as much fun and energy and leave the crowd wanting more! Fame is perfect as it's based on a group of New York students, all with ambitions of becoming dancers!"
"The students involved have worked tirelessly over the past few months to make sure their performance is something they can be proud of. It's a testament to their parents and teachers who have supported them all along," according to Ms Hogan and Mr Houlihan.
Leading roles in this year's show are Ciana Crooker, Emma Ring, Gina Taft, Anestasia Gulakova, Lauren Taaffe, Merveil Mavunga, Chris Reid, Kevin Foran, Graham Hanlon and John Kearns,. Tickets cost €10 (€5 for concessions) and are available now from both school offices at lunchtime. Contact either school today as tickets are disappearing fast! Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
Eóin Houlihan
Fame - Some Photographs
Nick
Graham Hanlon
Tyrone
Merveil Mavungu
Schlomo
John Kearns
Joe
Kevin Foran
Iris
Anatasia GulakovaLambchops
Lauren Taaffe
Carmen
Ciana Croker
Serena
Emma Ring
Serena and Tyrone
Emma Ring &
Merveil MavunguSound Engineer and Joe
Aiden O'Reilly &
Kevin Foran
Schlomo and Lambchops
John Kearns &
Lauren Taaffe
Tyrone and Nick
Merveil Mavungu &
Graham HanlonAll photographs taken by Conor Kelly. More photographs of the show available soon.
A Word from the Production Team
Having had a taste of stardom Colaíste Bríde and Moyle Park College have teamed up once again to put on a musical set in a time when fashion went mad and music was different! This year see the performance of Fame, a musical which seems to have taken Broadway and television by storm. The students have been the core of this production without them there would not be a musical. They have been a pleasure to work with, have been very well behaved, committed and enthusiastic. They are a credit to their parents and guardians.
We would like to thank both principals who have been very supportive to the team from the very beginning. We would like to thank the staff of both schools that have been very supportive and helpful; this would not have been possible without you. To Mr. Steve McEntagart for all your help with various parts of the production, along with Brother Nicolas and the board crew. Both parents' councils have given great support and commitment to the musical. The staffs at both receptions have been fantastic to us selling tickets, typing up letters, posting, the list is endless, thanks.A very sincere thanks to Eileen McCrory, Eimear de Búrca and Carol Dunning who were terrific stage mangers ably assisted by the wonderful props students. To Louise Ronan who managed costumes. The props for the show tonight were the results of many months of hard work by the Moyle Park College team of Petrina Shortt and Aisling Burns from Coláiste Bríde. They worked very hard with the pupils from Transition Year, thank you.
The music tonight is provided by John O'Farrell, James and Dave Mullens, Cian Lernihan, Stephen Mc Carthy and Conor McGrath. Thank you for all your hard work. The choir tonight is second year students of Coláiste Bríde they have been rehearsing very diligently with their teachers and they sound fantastic.
Finally we would like to thank Damien Douglas, Dee Lumsden and Jacqueline Dooley for their amazing work and expertise. They are responsible for getting our budding stars to where they are tonight. Their dedication and high standards were second to none. They were the back bone to this whole production and put in many hours of rehearsals with the pupils; all of which was in their own time.
So all that is left to say is for you to sit back, enjoy the show and have a wonderful night of acting, singing and good fun.
Eóin Houlihan and Amanda Hogan (From the Programme)
The cast of Fame on the night of their final performance. (Photograph: Conor Kelly)
Top: Gina Taft, Kevin Foran, Lauren Taaffe, Merveil Mavungu, Ciana Croker
Bottom: Emma Ring, Anastasia Gulakova, John Kearns, Graham Hanlon, and Chris Reid
The Girls from Colaiste Bride write: First day came for auditions, everyone was very nervous, our hearts were pounding but when everyone sang it was amazing. We were all great, the pressure was on!
When it came to the dancing auditions we were giving it socks, we were showing off the moves and making sure they were getting it perfect. The day finally came when the cast went up. The room was full of excitement, everyone was so anxious and there were tears that day. Rehearsals were deadly and we had great crack with the lads. It was a long week doing rehearsals Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and at the end Sundays but it was well worth it in the end! We have all made new friends and have gotten so close. We have some very funny memories of falling while trying to dance and to keep up to Dees' fast moves. The boys are all such good dancers, they were shy at the start but now they are grand.
On the first night of the show,there were butterflies in the tummies, we're all so excited. We all gathered around the piano for one final song, it brought a tear to our eyes we just really don't want this to end.
We just want to take this opportunity to say a big thanks to Dee, Ms. Dooley, Damien, Ms.Hogan , Mr. Houlihan, the backstage crew and to everyone for their support over the past few months. We hope you enjoy the show.
The Fabulous Fame Ladies
A ticket for Fame
The Boys from Moyle Park write: When Mr Houlihan announced that the Fame auditions were taking place, a good few lads showed up. We were all really nervous and nobody wanted to go in and sing first. We all left the school on a great buzz after the auditions. After the first call backs, it was the greatest feeling but everyone got very nervous and some people left. Eventually the final list was put up and we were all very eager to start.
The rehearsals began in October of 2009 and it was great fun but hard work! The dances we have learned are very good and need 110%. It's such a good feeling when you know that you have nailed a dance. When we got our scripts first, we read through them and knew from there that we had to go to every rehearsal and give 120% co-operation every day. The Sunday rehearsals are very good because we are there all day having fun.
At first, when we met the girls, nobody knew what to expect and everybody was shy and nervous. Now that time has passed we have all gotten to know each other and have made great friends for life.
This is the best thing to do while you are in school. It's a great confidence builder and a great way of meeting new people. I would recommend it to every future student of Moyler and Colaiste Bride.
We have to thank Dee, Damien ("Mad Damo"), Ms Dooley, Mr Houlihan and Ms Hogan. They kept us all going through Fame. We owe it all to them as they helped us so much and Fame wouldn't have happened without them. Thank you so much!
Da Lads
The Cast of Fame performing on stage. (Photograph: Conor Kelly)
Adam Guthrie from Moyle Park writes: I miss FAME sooooo bad! It's awful knowing I'm not going to rehearsals after school. FAME on a Monday made getting up for school not seem as bad. I miss being able to have a laugh with all the girls and going over to their school.
It was great at the start, getting to know everybody, but I have to say, when it started to get closer to the time of the show it started to get very serious and everything had to be perfect. No room for mistakes. I miss the Sunday rehearsals, they were great because you were having a laugh with everybody and it lasted the whole day, which is good because Sunday is such a boring day.
The best things in FAME were the dances. I love the FAME dance and everybody knows the part I like about it. I also love Dancin' On The Sidewalk. The best part of this dance is definitely the drop roles. You get such a buzz out of it when you get it right and when you have lots of energy and adrenaline you jump so high, it's great. You run off the stage delighted when you know it was perfect.
Another great dance is the hard work dance. Everybody loved the bit at the end were you swing your arms up and down. Mad Funny!
It's so boring without FAME. I have nothing to do anymore, but as everybody said, it's the beginning of a new friendship that'll live forever!….What are we? FABULOUS!
The Programme Cover for Fame
Damien Douglas (Director): Damien's' Love for acting and singing began with Beneavin College Musical Society. He went to train to with the Bull Alley Theatre School. He has played many lead roles in numerous shows, including the lead role in West Side Story at the Gaiety Theatre. He was awarded the AIMS Best Actor award for his portrayal of Ugly in the Musical Honk. He has also won the Best Comedian award at the Waterford International festival and light Opera in the role of Cosmo (Signing in the Rain). Damien has also been awarded the AIMS best comedian award for the role of Cosmo. He has appeared in many pantos starring alongside Dustin the turkey to name but a few. He spent eight seasons starring alongside June Rogers in the Christmas and summer cabarets.
Damien has directed numerous pantomimes for musical societies throughout Dublin and has directed Greenhill's Variety shows. He and his partner Laura recently set up their own stage school in Westmeath called Class Act Stage School. We would like to thank everyone involved in Fame for making him feel so welcome and for all their hard work and dedication.
A Classic Poster for Fame
Deirdre Lumsden (Choreographer): As a choreographer and dance teacher, Deirdre has worked with many variety groups, musical societies and schools throughout the county. Deirdre has choreographed Christmas Cabarets and Pantomimes and also a number of RTE productions. Success in John Player Tops includes 3 semi- finals and 1 National Final. Musicals include West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Godspell, Cabaret, Grease, The Wiz, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, Copacabana and The Hot Mikado, for which she won the WFLO Choreography Award. Deirdre was the principal teacher in Electra Stage School for 12 years. She retired in 2002 and was persuaded back out of retirement to do 'Grease' in 2009, which was an outstanding performance. Deirdre has thoroughly enjoyed working with the students from Coláiste Bríde and Moyle Park College and would like to thank everyone for all their hard work, commitment and support.
Another Poster for Fame
Jacqueline Dooley (Musical Director): Jacqueline has been working at Coláiste Bríde for just under three years. Music and Theatre are her passion. Jacqueline was Musical Director for the outstanding 'Grease' Musical in 2009 and is delighted to be back as M.D. for 'Fame'. Jacqueline would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in this years production. A special word of thanks to all the students and teachers in the cast, Dee, Damien, Amanda and Eoin for all the time and "hard work!" that you put in over the past few months. It's been a brilliant journey!
More Posters for Fame
Fame (Some cast views)
Jade Dunne (Dancer): It was a great experience. Deadly crack :) .. I enjoyed learning all the dances. My favourite dance was Dancin' On The Sidewalk.
Brian Shaw (Dancer): Good Buzz! The dances were great fun. 'And the Grease girls weren't better than the Fame girls.'
Lauren Taaffe (Lambchops): What an experience, my God, do I miss it! It was fabulous. I've made amazing friends that I will have for life. I've never laughed and enjoyed myself so much! My band rocked, it had to be said, everyone was fantastic. This gave me so much confidence and I would love to do it again! Some days we would have our ups and downs but it was a success! We were and always will be fabulous. SHEINKOPF !
Shane Cross (M.C.): From what I saw from Fame it was an amazing show. The craic for the three nights I was there was great. Everyone got on well and made the most of the experience.
Anastasia Gulakova (Iris): The whole thing was FANTABULOUS! Loved every minute and sobbed all night when it was over, had the time of my life and will never ever forget it. I already miss everyone. Fame remember my name!
John Kearns (Schlomo Metzenbaum): Fame was great. Rehearsals with the girls were a good laugh. The lads gave it everything, especially in front of the girls. I'll never forget Fame and I never wanted it to end.
Ciana Croker (Carmen Diaz): I loved Fame so much, it was one of the best things I've ever done. Made so many great friends and I'll miss it so much. We are Fabulous =D
Rodney Adimat (Dancer): Fame was the best thing that I did in Transition Year and the dancing was great and I made great new friends and the girls were funny and fabulous!
Gina Taft (Mabel): Probably the most fun, funniest period of my life! At some points my tummy was sore from laughing. It was such an amazing experience and I'll never forget it. One word - FABULOUS! :)
Kim Heary (Dancer): It was a great experience. I love doing dancing, but rehearsals were tiring sometimes, but it was an overall fun time, and I'd do it all again!
Graham Hanlon (Nick Piazza): Fame was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it. The best part of the entire show was having fun with all the lads and girls in the dressing rooms or reading lines with Dougie. Ever since we have come back to school, I really miss going over to the girls' school and practicing dancing. Singing on stage was one of the greatest things I have ever done. The buzz you get from standing up on stage and singing is absolutely brilliant. The friends we all made during the time of the musical is something we will never lose. Doing that show was incredible. I'll never forget the first time stepping onto the stage and saying my first line, I was dead nervous. The worst part was the week before Fame trying to learn one of my really long speeches but with the help of all the cast, especially Gina, I got it right on the night. I am going to try get into something like it again because it was incredible. I'll never forget FAME!
Stefani Closca (Dancer): I thought Fame was absolutely brilliant. I mean the crack we all had was unreal. All of us made friends and all got so close. It was a good experience, you don't always get an opportunity like that! Some memories are unforgettable. We used to be so busy, now it's so boring! I'm always free. I miss some of the people.
Emma Ring (Serena Katz): It was amazing! I loved getting to spend time with my friends and meet new people. My favourite part was the singing because I can't dance ha ha! Best time of my life... We Are Fabulous!William Ngesi (Dancer): Fame was amazing. I never experienced something like it and if I could do it again I would definitely.
Katie Connolly (Singer): Redlight would be nothing without me! I loved every second of it. Best experience of my life, all the friends I've made from it are ones I will have forever. I love John Kearns. LEGEND.
Merveil Mavungu (Tyrone Jackson): Ah, where do I start…. Fame was cool. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life. We made new friends and new enemies, only messing! It was great, I enjoyed every moment of it. Now that it's over I miss going over there, and the girls, ha! ha! ha!
Gavin O'Brien (Dancer): It was a very good experience. I feel it was a great confidence booster. We mixed well with Colaiste Bride and we had a great laugh at every
rehearsal.Nehemie Kibabu (Dancer): Plenty of girls. A great laugh. Very enjoyable. Nice girls.
Kev
in Foran (Joe Vegas): Fame was the best experience of my life! I miss it so much now that it is over. I want to stick to the acting and singing, but I'mnot sure how. The best part of the show was meeting so many good and new people. I made friends for life. There are people who did it who I knew to see for so long but never actually knew. Now that I know them, we are really close and I know that we will remain friends for life. I was so nervous on the first night of Fame. But, as soon as I got out, the nerves disappeared and I sang my first song. I was on such a buzz after it and I couldn't wait for act 2. Dee, Ms. Dooley and Dougie are such inspirations. They kept us going through the rehersals and it was great working with them. I am so glad that I did Fame in the end. My favourite dance in the whole show was 'Dancin On The Sidewalk.' I will always remember the name - FAME.
Chris Reid (Goody King): Fame was a great laugh. We had great fun at rehearsals and when we couldn't believe what we had achieved and when we had finished each night a growing pain grew over me as we knew it was coming to an end.
Emily Smartt (Singer): The best experience of my life, I had such a great time, I made so many amazing friends that I will have forever. The leads were all so talented and we all had so much fun, I've never laughed so hard. We are fabulous!
Adam Guthrie (Dancer): It was the best experience of my entire life! I'd do anything to do it all again from the start! The people I've met are some of the soundest and most talented people I know! I'll always remember their names. I loved rehearsals so much, they gave me something to do after school and now I'm so bored. It's a wreck the head! If I could get the chance to do the show one more time I'd be absolutely chuffed! Dee and Damien were so right when they said you will never get a buzz like it when you walk off the stage knowing you got your part perfect; there's nothing like the feeling of knowing everybody did a great show, and the feeling of a standing ovation :O UNREAL! We Are FABULOUS!
Shauna Smyth (Singer): Ah Fame was great. Had a deadly laugh at the rehearsals and made loads of new friends.
Aisling Doyle (Dancer): Fame was the best fun we've all had! Rehearsals were tough but the craic was 90. My favourite dance was probably Dancing on the Side-walk. Fame was my favourite song by far. Ciana rocked!
Ashleigh Gordon (Singer): Nervous before the auditions but excited at the fact that it was starting. The rehearsals were really tiring, but it was all worth it in the end. The best experience EVER!
Darren Core (M.C.): Brilliant musical! Much better than Grease. The acting and singing was amazing.
Chelsea Hughes (Singer): It was a great experience and I'll never forget it. The dances were the best part of it.
Jenny Cleary-Burns (Singer): I thought Fame brilliant. I'll never forget it. Love you's bayub's!
Emma Keogh (Singer): It was a great experience. Miss it loads. Redlight would be nothing without me! John can't even play the real pia-pia-piano!
Aaron Kearney (Backstage): Backstage in Fame was class. Wish I did it from the start.
Jordan Kiernan (Backstage): Fame was brilliant to be part of even though I wasn't on stage. Everyone really enjoyed it and it was the best part of T.Y.
Aiden O Reilly (Backstage): Fame was amazing. Even though I was not in it I still miss it. It was a great laugh and I wish I could do it again.
Luke Byrne (Backstage): Fame was whopper. Great show! The backstage were whopper too. I really enjoyed Fame, would definitely do it again if it came back.
Another Poster for Fame
