‘VOICE OF Ireland 2015’ hottie Niall O’Halloran became a national name in his bid for the title through talent and performance power. Now we look forward to his presence on stage in Limerick with co-contenders Sarah McTernan, John Sheehy and Fionn Gardner in Absolute Legends, singing works by the defining composers of musical theatre such as Sondheim, Weill, Webber and contemporary greats like Scott Alan.
‘The Next Stage’ on Friday July 3, 8pm at UCH is a fundraiser of professional and emerging entertainers as Niall wings to a career in London, agent secured. Sharing the billboard, he cites Liam O’Brien, Judy O’Connor and Jessica McEvoy (née Bray), heroes of his along with Jean McGlynn whom he credits with giving him courage for London.
Several agents had approached Niall, a Parteen man, subsequent to RTE’s heat. Then Scott Alan spotted Youtube clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxb31Xz7bYU and invited him to sing in concerts in London, at St James’ Theatre, and St James’ recording studio. Time to harness this momentum…
Honing his craft since the age of seven (Expressive Arts School, Bull Alley in Dublin and a year’s training as a journalist), “I realised with all my heart and soul I belong to musical theatre”.
This page has seen him in numerous shows over years, a bright, bright light in ‘Crusade’, ‘Waiting on Love’ and ‘As Midnight Strikes’ among them and he performs in Dolan’s often, acknowledging Mick and Valerie as mentors. Niall also turns out in style for charity gigs – once in liquid gold shorts (only) and Harley Davison for Unity Gospel Choir Limerick.
On Friday 3, past collaborator Michael Young is musical director.
With respect to his own gift, Niall feels his persona lingers between “tenor and belter” status. “What I try to work most is the power behind my voice and hitting the high notes”.
In acting, the yen is for dark pieces in contrast to a sweet nature that is mindful of humility and truth. He laughs: “I try always to be positive, be glass half full and yet I’m drawn to twisted contemporary stuff” and invokes Wilde’s Dorian Gray as the ultimate character role. “I enjoy the idea of playing sinister – villains and stuff”.
Tickets for The Next Stage at www.uch.ie
