I’m not a golfer but I love live television no matter what it is so the last couple of weeks have been a real sporting treat, tennis, cricket, netball and best of all, golf from Portrush. What about Shane Lowry and his caddy Brian – what a handsome talented pair. Yesterday was fascinating first of all listening it on 5 Live all day and then highlights on television last night. Riveting stuff and what will today bring – lots of weather by the look of things.
I was angry with Peter Alliss, a commentator who leaves me cold but he annoyed me last night going on about the reception Shane Lowry received from the crowd even though he was from the South. For goodness sake get over yourself – we are civilised people and sport, like music, excites everyone and certainly we have our loyalties but with Rory gone, and Tiger off home, the big affable Shane was loved by everyone no matter where they came from. So Peter, stop being divisive and trying to be clever.
On the other hand, the coverage on radio was entertaining and informative, sometimes the banter got a bit out of hand and golf was the last thing on the menu but they knew what they were doing and we didn’t miss anything.
Still Time to See Miss Saigon Today 2 o’clock and 7 o’clock at Grand Opera House
There are three ways to learn, regular school and university, the university of life and importantly, the stimulating university of theatre. When will the public realise the value of the arts? Whether it’s a French farce, a Shakespeare tragedy or Stones In His Pockets, if it’s to be produced properly then those involved must learn the background, the history must be researched, what was going on at the time, the condition of the country, the fate of the people, the lifestyles of the individuals.
Take the production that opened at Belfast’s Opera House on Thursday evening. When Miss Saigon burst onto the stage it took the audiences collective breath away, eighty young people acting out the story of a doomed romance between a 17 year old South Vietnamese bargirl and a young US Marine. Set in the 1970s this is a tough and complex story which has been played out all over the world but this local production is different, the beauty is that all those on stage are the same ages as the boys and girls in Saigon and director Tony Finnegan is careful to educate his company in the history of the time. When I arrived at rehearsal last week he was talking through the horrific story of two cultures going head to head, the intervention of United States, the horrific napalm bomb dropped in 1972. His cast are mature and enthusiastic and listen closely, exploring motivations, all good for life outside the theatre.
Tony agrees that theatre is an important life experience. “It teaches young people to mix, to react to discipline, promotes self-esteem and confidence and above all to take responsibility.” How important when it comes to applying for a job.
Louis Fitzpatrick
SPECIAL SHOW
This is a production especially adapted for teenagers by West End producer Cameron Mackintosh and whilst the adult ingredients remain, some of the language has been edited. Tony explains to the cast how at that time girls were having to survive through prostitution and he has his special way of communicating. “Put it like this, if it was a restaurant, the prostitute GiGi would be head chef the other girls are working under her control.”
Musical director Wilson Shields has been involved in GOH pantomimes for 15 years and he says it’s like coming home to a building where the acoustics are as impressive as it’s historic past. Like Tony he’s strict, call times for rehearsals had to be observed to the minute, the 17 piece orchestra, most of them of school age, worked on the score for weeks. By the time they arrived on stage before both men everyone had read through the score – no dialogue all singing – so the entire company knew every word and were able to articulate each one. From where I was sitting they succeeded.
Ewan McGowan-Gregg
Talking to the cast revealed that they are devoted to theatre and this particular show. Ewan McGowan-Gregg has taken minor roles in order to concentrate on shadowing the director because directing is his ultimate aim. “Tony is one of the best in Ireland,” he confirms. “He has charisma and you can relax with him, he’s not your mate and he’ll pull you up when necessary but he’s a mentor.” What has he learned? “To be prepared!”
16 year old Ronan Johnson plays GI Chris, he’s a GCSE history student from Crossmaglen who classes himself as an actor and a GAA footballer. He has studied the emotions his character goes through, so young and so in love with the bargirl, but such is the way of war, he’s forced to take the last helicopter out of Saigon leaving her behind, heart broken and not knowing she is carrying his baby.
Louis Fitzpatrick’s complex character is John, friend of Chis who brings the sweethearts together for their first night of love and when the war is over tries to reunite the two despite the fact that Chris has since married. Louis is off to The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland next year to study film and all the theatrical experience he can get he knows will be useful in the future. For Harry Blaney playing Thuy, this experience will stand him in good stead for a career in fashion journalism and the year out which comes after Miss Saigon will be spent travelling round the UK and Europe organising interviews and making contacts. Again, theatre is giving him confidence to strike out and has given him an insight into other cultures.
BUT IT’S NOT ALL ACTING AND SINGING.
Aideen McGaharan
Vital to any production is the ‘tec crew’, those involved in lighting, set and props and this is where 17 year old Aideen McGaharan comes in. “There’s so much to learn so quickly, like making props and moving the set, as I’m going to be a director this aspect of theatre is important.” She smiled: “The cast rehearse, the technical crew prepare!”
They certainly do as this technical crew have built their own huge helicopter for the outstanding scene where it comes down from on high lights dazzling the audience and the noise is deafening, a major visual during the show. This St Genevieve pupil is proud of her work and now intends following her dream to go to theatre school or study drama at Queen’s University.
At the end of the day Tony asks for more than 100% no less, another learning curve, no room for sulks or rebellion, just enthusiasm and an ability to work as a company. As Chief Executive of the Opera house says. “Out of 400 excellent audtionees we chose 80 and they proved to be the best, such talent, another great Summer Youth production.”
Still time to see the show. For more information on Miss Saigon School Edition www.goh.co.uk
