LIMERICK’S dynamic youth theatre, CentreStage Youth, has committed to another provocative and innovative autumn production. On Thursday October 28 this company, who last took on Larson’s hit musical RENT for LIT Millennium Theatre, will stage Tim Burton’s animation great A Nightmare Before Christmas at CentreSPACE Studios, St. Alphonsus Street.
Staged twice a day at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, this is an ideal mid-term break show for all ages who love a good hero, a good scare, a good score and great characterisation.
This fresh, vital production will include all the Burton and Elffman characters such as Jack Skellington, Sally, Doctor Frinkinstein, The Boogie Man, Mayor of Halloween Town, Lock, Shock and Barrel, Santa Claus and Zero. The other characters will include Harlequin Deamons, Witches, Vampires and Corposes. They will bring to life the story that is The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The cast of 30 something members, all in their late teens, including Isadora Kileen, Niall O’Halloran, Cian Scanlon, Conor Clancy, Theodora Byrne, Martha O’Brien, Killian Fitzgerald, Nicole O’Connor,, Maeve Guilfoile, Alex McNamara, Stephanie McGrath, Ailbhe Kiely, Vanessa Murray, Martin Atkinson, Jack Kearney and Sofian Tilli.
Artistic director Richie Ryan tells the tall story that awaits us: “In the ancient Holiday worlds, the king of Halloween, Jack Skellington has had enough. Every year, it’s the same thing: Screams, scares, horrors, blah blah blah. He so desperately wants something different, and eventually wanders out and into Christmas Land.
“Eventually, Jack decides to have Halloween Land do Christmas this year…Unbeknownst to Jack, the three little rascals he has to capture Santa have sinister plans in mind for the Christmas icon. They give him to Oogie-Boogie, the Boogie-Man, the most vicious, evil creature in Halloween. And Oogie-Boogie loves to play deadly games, which he always rigs in his favour”.
What lies ahead? Hint: the military is brought in to save Christmas from the ghouls. The real story begins.
Maire Keary-Scanlon is musical director for this phantasmagoric bit of fun. Check it out Thursday 28 to Sunday 31, 2.30pm and 7.30pm daily. Book online ahead at www.centrespace.ie
