St Finian's TYs 'consider themselves' happy with Oliver!

St Finian’s College Transition Year Musical Production 2022: ‘Oliver’

The school community of St Finian’s College and the wider community were ‘blown away’ by the fantastic production of Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver’, an adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ novel, ‘Oliver Twist’.

The students of St Finian’s prepared their production during their designated musical timetable under the creative leadership of Daniel Connell, music and religion teacher, and Siobhán Scally, English and religion teacher. Siobhán Moore choreographed the dance and movement.

In addition, the students prepared for the production in their own time as the school year progressed.

The show is full of musical delights such as ‘Food, Glorious Food’, ‘Consider Yourself’, ‘Where is Love?’ ‘Who will Buy?’ ‘Small Pleasures’, ‘Oom Pah Pah’, ‘As long as he needs me’, ‘Be back soon’ and ‘Reviewing the situation’.

The TY class of 2022 cultivated and developed artistic skills of stage management, design, team work, musical performance, drama, dance, art, advertising, liaising with local businesses, and ticket sales, among many others.

Friendships strengthened and new ones formed, and the students displayed great ‘ownership’ of their production, something that became apparent as the show grew from an initial seed in September to five blossoming performances this spring.

The school gym was transformed into a beautiful Victorian setting, enhanced by the magical lighting by Ray McDonnell, while the sound technician Frank Byrne made sure a typical gym became a theatrical acoustic space.

Teachers who worked backstage during the five productions saw the enthusiasm, maturity and level of professionalism of the students, and said that the support, encouragement and calm approach they displayed contributed to the smooth performances the audiences enjoyed.

While the show in was amazing in sound, colour, movement, drama, enthusiasm and fun, the ultimate joy was experienced through the voyage of their production.

The solo vocals were executed with great confidence and musicality; the chorus numbers were so beautifully harmonised and balanced; the characters were well cast and all of the students lived up to, and exceeded their own expectations.

The community of St Finian’s College are grateful to North Midlands Credit Union for their continued support, to all the local businesses that sponsored prizes for the raffle, to Nixons Florists, to the committed parents, staff and, in particular, the stars, the transition year class of 2021/2022.