Countdown to long-awaited production by choral society

Countdown to long-awaited production by choral society

30 September 2015

GRAB the last chance to see Sunset Boulevard before a major West End revival of the hit show.

St Patrick’s Choral Society is in the final week of rehearsals for the Irish premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, which will be performed in Belfast’s Grand Opera House next week.

It has just been announced that Sunset Boulevard will run in the West End from March 2016, with Glenn Close playing the title role of Norma Desmond. St Patrick’s Choral Society is therefore the only company in Ireland to be producing the show for the foreseeable future as all rights for the show have been withdrawn.

Taking on the iconic role of Norma Desmond — the faded silent movie star who dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen — is Fiona Keegan.

Fiona is from Belfast where she is principal of St Kevin’s Primary School. She has performed at many prestigious venues across Northern Ireland as a member of a number of award winning musical companies, primarily St Agnes’ Choral Society. 

Her many principal roles include The Duchess of Plaza Toro (The Gondoliers), Adelaide Adams (Calamity Jane) and Aunt Eller (Oklahoma). Some of her favourite roles include Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), Milly (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Annie Oakley (Annie Get Your Gun), Miss Hannigan (Annie), Muzzy (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and more recently Velma Von Tussle (Hairspray!)

Fiona was awarded Best Female Singer at the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) annual awards in Killarney in June 2007 for her lead role in Calamity Jane and nominated again in 2011 for her role as Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. 

A highlight in Fiona’s musical career has been her involvement with Toccata Musical Productions. She was invited to sing with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra in Bangalore, India in December 2010, and for past two summers Fiona has travelled as a soloist to India and Sri Lanka to perform in a charitable concert tour. 

Fiona said she was delighted to be part of St Patrick’s Choral Society’s most ambitious project yet, which is raising money for four charities — Cry Screening NI, Brain Injury Matters, Mind Your Mate and Yourself (MYMY) and the Declan McMullan Fund.

Declan McMullan is the brother of Fiona’s co-star Mark McMullan.

Earlier this year Mark became an overnight internet hit when a recording of him singing an emotional version of the Les Miserables Hit ‘Bring Him Home’ to his disabled brother Declan went viral.

“I am humbled and honoured not only to be playing this iconic role but also to be part of this fabulous campaign for such worthy causes,” said Fiona.

Musical director Gareth McGreevy pointed also to much work going on behind the scenes on the technical, costume and production front and with the front of house and promotional work.

Gareth also has 12 musicians under his conductor’s baton.

“The score in this show is just incredible, it’s a massive undertaking and the music will fill the auditorium from when the curtain rises to when it falls,” he said.

“This show is so special, not only because it is with St Patrick’s Choral Society and it is an Irish premiere but primarily because it is to raise awareness and funds for four charitable causes very close to all of our hearts. 

“During the week of the show I am confident that the audiences will leave the Opera House entertained, but if we raise awareness of cardiac illnesses and brain injuries then our campaign will have been extremely successful.”

Sunset Boulevard is running in The Grand Opera House next week between October 7 and 10. 

Book online by visiting www.goh.co.uk