Assumption students taking to boards to stage Oklahoma

Assumption students taking to boards to stage Oklahoma

30 September 2015

ASSUMPTION Grammar School will present Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s box office smash hit Oklahoma! in October.

Running from Tuesday, October 22, until Friday, October 25, the show will include all of the well-known hits from ‘Oh What a Beautiful Morning’ to ‘Out of my Dreams.’

The school’s newly appointed head of drama, Miss Rosie Gibson, who has a wealth of experience with such productions, is at the helm of the school’s autumn show.

Having worked within the integrated sector for six years, Miss Gibson has taught students from all backgrounds, directing them in an array of plays from different genres. 

She particularly enjoys writing and producing educational theatre pieces which aim to educate children through drama in a fun and interactive way.  

As a trained singer, Miss Gibson said she has enjoyed helping the girls with the numerous songs of Oklahoma and is impressed with their vocal skills. 

The cast features pupils from all key stages and stars year 13 theatre studies pupils Alice Magorrian as Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Kirsten Jennings as Laurey, a beautiful tom-girl. 

Both are too stubborn to admit their feelings for one another and, to throw another spanner in the works, Judd, a hired hand at Laurey’s farm, tries to come between them. 

The anti-hero is performed by year 13 music and theatre studies student, Katy Keaveney, who encapsulates the lonely and disturbed man flawlessly through both her acting and singing in musical numbers such as ‘Poor Judd is Dead’ and ‘This Lonely Room’.

An interesting sub-plot follows the trial and tribulations of the local flirt, Ado Annie, who is brought to life on stage via year 12 pupil, Aoife Barnes, who is more used to performing on the football pitch.

 A valued member of Russell Gaelic Club Under-16s and senior ladies, Aoife’s team recently had success in winning their County League. 

However, with Oklahoma, Aoife faces a more emotional challenge as she finds herself in the midst of a love triangle between childhood sweetheart, a rope spinner named Will Parker (Chloe McCullough) and visiting Pedlar man, the lady loving Ali-Hakim (Yasmin Kpakra-Doran). 

Throughout the first act, the audience will be left wondering who will win the heart of the loveable rogue who ‘Simply Can’t Say No!’

The endearing character of Laurey’s Aunt Eller will be performed by year 12 drama student, Clodagh Stitt. The no-nonsense southern woman has no fear of putting the local men in their place and shows them who’s boss through her wisecracking remarks and much loved song ‘The Farmer and the Cowman.’ 

School principal, Peter Dobbin, said he was thrilled to continue the long-standing school tradition of staging musical productions of the highest quality. 

“I am confident that this will be one of the highlights of my journey at Assumption so far,” he said.

“There is nothing quite like a show to encapsulate our “Fully Alive” ethos. It is my privilege to lead a team of dedicated teachers and support staff as they pull out all the stops to make Oklahoma a real success.  

“Equally, it is a great honour to witness the true talent of all our pupils, both cast members and those helping behind the scenes. 

“I look forward to welcoming the wider community into the heart of Assumption and to showcasing this extravaganza.”

Tickets are now selling at the school reception for £10 for adults and £5 for children under 12.