by Rose Rushe
Photo: Brian Gavin, Press 22
‘THE Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ cut a dash as film (1998), with Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor and as Little Voice, Jane Horrocks.
Now College Players, that estimable, award winning troupe, will premier a production in Lime Tree Theatre, November 11 to 15, directed by MIC’s Dr Mike Finneran and – don’t roll your eyes – his missus, Jean McGlynn in title role.
Who better to give life to fragile Little Voice? She who hugs only her room, listening to her late father’s collection of the celebrated singers – Dusty Springfield, Shirley Bassey, Edith Piaf.
Finding she can impersonate them springs Little Voice to the professional stage vis-a-vis her mother Mari’s (Mary O’Sullivan) boyf (Brian McNamara) and club promoter Dave Griffin: “I’m a little bit greasy, always looking for the next slip of what is going on”.
At a media launch in Clarion Hotel, Arts page sounded McGlynn on her various role(s).
People who heard her rattle the Spiegletent’s mirrors or Jason Donovan’s cage will not doubt her live skillset. Besides, College Players doted on their Leading Lady long before Finneran wore the pants.
Is the part a challenge, the many parts on which the story leans?
“Essentially Little Voice is a recluse who can only express herself through the great divas, the loves of her late father’s life,” Jean explains. “She plays them, she acts them”.
“As to why this is such a challenge for me, I like to sing as myself. The register of octave required goes from very low to very high.. but I have a wide range as a singer, I guess”.
Here she credits Cratloe based voice coach, Marie Walsh, “who has been my lifeline of years.”
“I am finding it very hard to go through Little Voice to create these other characters. In the play, they call it ‘throat twisting’”, and now she knows why.
College Players inspire respect for their carefully chosen and crafted work. Has any ticket holder yet put aside the sear of ‘The Seafarer’ or failed to crumple at ‘Leading Ladies’?
See www.limetreetheatre.ie for booking, November 11 to 15, 8pm.
