SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

David Keown played the part of Adam Pontipee doing full justice to the role of eldest brother. His choice of bride, Milly, was delightfully played by Emer McCaffrey who was ‘as sassy as can be’ in her dealings with her husband and his brothers but sensitive whenever appropriate. “Glad that you were born” and “Love never goes away” were beautiful. Emer and David’s voices harmonised well together. Adam’s six brothers – Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephram, Frank and Gideon played by Rory Mullan, Simon Quigg, Eoin Callaghan, Greg Parkhill, Thorin Coffey and Robert Kelly put enormous energy into their roles and fights were convincing! Their group singing was also very strong. The young brides - Alice, Dorcas, Ruth, Liza, Martha and Sarah (Aine O’Riordan, Amy Kilgore, Amy Smith, Hannah Deane, Zoe Kyte and Niamh Long) all danced and sang beautifully, showing great promise for the future. Townspeople including Mr & Mrs Hoallum (Judith O’Hare & Greg Doherty) and Mr & Mrs Sander (Joanne Palmer & Brendan Brady) who voiced their warnings and objections at every opportunity, made an excellent vocal ensemble with the young suitors.

Lovely costumes were on view from Utopia and Ian & Pauline Wilson - I was glad to see all the girls wearing bloomers. Hairstyles were appropriate with older ladies’ hair in buns and pony tails complete with matching ribbons for the young. The Set by Proscenium was good if a little cumbersome for changing; props were all suitable. Lighting was rather uninteresting – no variation between the seasons and really all too bright. Sound was fine with good diction on stage. The avalanche was something of a non event!

I know that many of the small problems will have been ironed out during the run and scene changes will speed up. MD Doherty’s 16 piece orchestra balanced well with the stage but did not always completely cover scene changes leaving awkward silences. All in all, Deigh directed a lovely show and Venessa took full advantage of all the chances to show off the dancing - to get twelve young men dancing was a special achievement!

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