THE gingham tablecloths and fried chicken served at Bobby Byrne’s for Cecilians lent perfectly to the Americana of that press night.
This merry band’s drumroll was for ‘All Shook Up’, their Limerick premier of a musical driven by the songs of Elvis Presley, jangling love triangles and wait for it, Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’.
Girls in dungarees and drindle skirts, guys in biker jackets and the promise of a convoluted plot greeted Limerick Post Newspaper. Book your seat for at this sharp-scripted comedy of errors at Lime Tree Theatre from November 23 to 26, 8pm show.
Arts page brought you news previously of the charity tie-in with ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services. Last week, ADAPT’s Deirdre Barrett joined Limerick Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon in VIP honours for the launch, hosted by Cecilian Musical Society.
Gary Keane plays the hunky leading man Chad and ’fessed up this was his third time out in the role. “I played him first with Shannon Musical Society in 2009. I only tried out for the part after someone heard me singing at a wedding, late at night at the bar”.
He grins. “After a bit of persuading to go forward I got the part. I won the Spirit of AIMS award that year”.
Strewth.
Tralee Musical Society came after him in 2010 and six years on, the Cecilians bag their Chad. But does Natalie, one of the love interests for this ‘new kid in town’?
Kate Hurley plays the besotted Natalie, getting nowhere with him. “Chad has no interest and calls me a ‘grease monkey’ [mechanic] which causes me to turn into a male character, Ed, to hang out with him”.
How do you convince as Ed? “A lot of oil, a hat and baggy clothes and I have to drop my voice an octave”.
Cecilian pal Hilary Burke plays Miss Sandra. It’s complicated: “Sandra is an intellectual type, a very attractive character who catches the eye of Chad initially, when he’s chasing after her. She is not hugely impressed by him, he’s not up to her standards.
“Miss Sandra actually falls in love with Natalie, disguised as Ed”.
Whoops.. and there are other cases of mistaken identities and hollowed out hearts, as with Shakespeare’s comedy romances.
Their insights into ‘All Shook Up’ rhyme with that of Jason Ronan (playing Denis) who is chairing the Society. They harp happily about the glorious harmonies and re-arrangements of the score involving a full chorus (50) and lead roles.
Credit to “musical director Shane Farrell who has led the orchestra for the last few shows we have done,” Jason makes clear. “Shane is exceptionally talented, guiding arrangements for the 12 piece band with the natural ability that he has”.
More anon on ‘All Shook Up’. May Elvis never leave the building. www.limetreetheatre.ie for booking November 23 to 26, Mary Imaculate College campus.
