Michael Commins
KILTIMAGH will be alive to the sound of music this week as members of the Cill Aodain Choral Society put the finishing touches to their brand new show ‘Lift the Wings’ which will be staged in the Park Hotel this Wednesday and Thursday, May 19 and 20. This is one of their most ambitious ventures to date and will feature guest performances on both nights by Sean Keane and Rebecca Storm.
The new show, which has been scripted by local man Seamus Corry, and who is the artistic director and producer, is a musical journey through some of the great musicals and songs in history.
Opening with Circo Musica, the night’s musical journey moves to Africa for the Lion King and to Liverpool for Blood Brothers. Circle of Life is a segment where the different stages in all our lives are expressed through music, poetry and photographs. There’s a trip to Sweden before returning to the ever popular Oklahoma as the curtains fall for the interval.
Patrons can later enjoy some songs from France with a selection from Les Mis while Trinidad is next on the musical menu. Sean Keane from the famous Caherlistrane musical family (he is a brother of Dolores and Matt) will bring it all back home as the show moves to the concluding stages with songs like Kitty From Coleraine, Lift the Wings, and Isle of Hope.
This is a major undertaking by the Cill Aodain Choral Society and they are confident that their decision to feature Sean Keane and Rebecca Storm will prove hugely popular with patrons. Sean brings a wealth of expertise to the stage and has toured extensively in Ireland, Austria, Germany, America and Canada. His recent album, “The Scattering”, attracted widespread acclaim and was featured in full on T4.
Rebecca, originally from West Yorkshire and who now resides in Kildare, has starred in numerous musical on Broadway and the West End. She performed at the coronation ceremony for the King of Norway back in 1991. Over the years, she has appeared on numerous television programmes such as Wogan, The Late Late Show, Top of the Pops and many more.
The musical director Lift The Wings is Finola Higgins-Cosgrove. She is a founder and musical director of the Mayo School of Music in Kiltimagh and Castlebar. Finola’s choirs have accompanied such well known names as Tommy Fleming, Dana, Michael English, Liam Lawton and Sean Ruane, and have also featured on the Late Late Show. Several of her students have been awarded with permanent TSB High Achiever awards for piano. She is daughter of Helen and the late Tom Higgins from Kiltimagh.
The orchestra on the night will comprise of John Flatley, Jonathan Staunton, Aiden Staunton, Donal Hoban, Sarah McHugh-Lyons and Stephen Doherty.
For the Cill Aodain Choral Society, this is another milestone in a hugely impressive journey. It is also a major statement of conviction and belief by a Society that is very comfortable with itself and its ability to deliver a class show. This is a show that deserves support and one which should be a real winner for Kiltimagh.
Tickets are €20 and there is also an option of €40 tickets which includes dinner before the show. Further information in relation to the show and tickets can be had from Mick and Mai Higgins at 094 9381164.
