SUNDAY, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…listening to Limerick Musical Society, it sounds like rehearsals are eight days a week for ‘The Witches of Eastwick’. Opening at the concert hall on Thursday March 26 at 8pm, the multitude of fans drawn to LMS stagecraft is in for a treat.
Make no mistake, this outfit knows its business. Last year’s ‘Evita’ sold out at the 1000-seater venue.
Cast as Felicia – “self-appointed first lady of Eastwick” – Judy O’Connor is an Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) winner. So too are choreographer Niamh Twomey and Máire Keary-Scanlon, musical director. Director Des Henn has worked with many a nominated/ winning show and let’s face it, our curiosity is up as to ‘The Witches’ with not so much as a broomstick witnessed in these parts before.
Talking to Limerick Post, Adrian Egan (rector at Redemptorists) says he has always loved this show and saw it half a dozen times in the West End while training as a priest in London. He plays editor Clyde Gabriel, married to the wagon Felicia (Judy) whose daughter Jennifer (Zara Walsh of Spotlight Stage School) is going out with Michael (Jamie Sheehan), son of a Witch.
Committee member for the society, Adrian introduces Eastwick itself as “another important part of the play. It appears on the outside how wonderful everything is” to the mantra “Eastwick cares, Eastwick shares”. Yet the Witches are women on the margin of community, lost, disillusioned in love, having a limp affair here and there and outcasts to the joy of living.
Over a drink one night, as women do, “they articulate what their imagined perfect match would be”. And as we know, you have to be careful what you wish for. Enter Darryl Van Horne, a perfectly cast Dave Griffin “who has characteristics that are devil like, manipulative, charming, insightful. He taps into the vulnerabilities of each woman”.
Judy, star of Dolan’s delicious cabaret supper, has led many a show and chorus line. She is clear about the music and songs in ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ being glorious, “some rock’nroll, some ballads, great music for sopranos and female singers”.
Rebecca Ballinger, a new American in town, is Witch Sukie, Laura Henebry is Alexandra, Sinead O’Sullivan Witch Jane and they become imbued with super powers whilst being seduced serially by Darryl. As they wise up and buck up, his extraordinary luck convulses.
Note that this show is o12s with PG tips and these principals are delighted their director is not holding back on sexuality and dark desires. Bring on those devilish delights over three nights, March 26-28 at www.uch.ie
