Meet the cast of The Phantom of the Opera

Prepare to be amazed: The Ballinrobe Musical Society is back with arguably the most famous musical of all time: Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera'.

The show opened in Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End in London 1986 and quickly won widespread critical acclaim. After over 13,000 performances, the show is still running in the West End, making it the second longest-running West End musical after Lés Miserables.

The leading roles:

The lead roles this year are filled by Kate McDonnell from Dunmore. She made her debut with Ballinrobe Musical Society last year in Me And My Girl, where her hilarious portrayal of Lady Jacqueline saw her win runner-up for ‘Best Comedienne’ in the Gilbert section at the annual AIMS awards. 

Niall Conway, a familiar legend to the society, will be on stage as the Phantom of the Opera. Niall is one of the most recognisable faces in Ballinrobe Musical Society and has played a lead role in every single show since 2005. In 2016, Niall was honoured as with the Association of Irish Musical Societies-award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for his outstanding portrayal of Fester in the Addams Family, for which he shaved off his trademark beard and hair. 

Also in a leading role: Eve Garavan. Playing the part of the talented young soprano singer, Eve will be singing some of the best-loved songs in musical theatre history, including ‘The Phantom of The Opera’ – with its famous high note – ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’ and ‘All I Ask Of You’

The Plot:

Set in the surrounds of the majestic Paris Opera House, the show begins with an opera company rehearsing for an upcoming production of ‘Hannibal’.

Here, we are introduced to Christine Daée (Eve Garavan), an aspiring young soprano who impresses after receiving lessons from a mysterious tutor.

It soon turns out that Christine is being taught by The Phantom of The Opera (Niall Conway), a reclusive musical genius who wears a half-mask to hide a hideous facial deformity.

The Phantom begins to show affection from Christine, whom he invites down to his lair beneath the opera house.

However, this affection goes unreturned when a Raoul Vicomte de Chagny (Edward Scott), the new patron of the opera house, wins Christine’s heart.

When his instructions for an upcoming show are ignored, The Phantom delivers a chilling warning that ‘a disaster beyond your imagination’ will occur.

Mayhem quickly ensues as the Phantom wrecks ever escalating vengeance on a world that never showed him compassion.

Shows:

From February 11 to 17 in Ballinrobe Community School. 

Tickets:

Society's booking office in Tacú, Main Street, Ballinrobe on 094 954 2907 or online via the society's social media pages.

Read a full preview in this week's edition of The Mayo News.