Declan inspires choral society to biggest test

Declan inspires choral society to biggest test

22 July 2015

IT’S the most ambitious project yet for St Patrick’s Choral Society and its members — including internet sensation Mark McMullan — are calling for the local fan base to get on board.

Rehearsals are in full swing and tickets are now on sale for the Downpatrick society’s production of Sunset Boulevard, with the challenge of filling the Grand Opera House in Belfast for four days in October.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Company has given St Patrick’s the honour of the first Irish amateur premiere and four charities connected with Mark McMullan’s brother Declan, who has locked-in syndrome, are to benefit.

Earlier this year Mark (20) a long-term member of St Patrick’s Choral Society, became an overnight YouTube hit. A recording of him singing an emotional version of the Les Miserables Hit ‘Bring Him Home’ to his disabled brother went viral and he soon found himself in demand on chat shows across the country.

In March 2012 Declan found himself the victim of an underlying cardiac condition known as Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome, which caused him to have a heart attack. His father John was trained in first aid and provided CPR until the emergency services arrived, but unfortunately due to oxygen starvation Declan suffered severe brain damage and has been left with locked-in syndrome. Although initially devastated, his family adapted, 

determined to give Declan the best possible quality of life.

“He has 100 per cent understanding,” explained Mark, who is from Crossgar. “Using an alphabet he can blink at letters. You can also read his facial expressions. He has almost peripheral vision, a bit like looking through a bathroom window.

“The day before Declan took sick he was at an interview at Coleraine University to study film and media. He wanted to be a movie director.

“But we do not want this to be all about us, we want it to be about people like Declan.

“People supported us so much with Declan and we want to give something back. We want to raise awareness for a few of the charities associated with the type of condition Declan has.”

The charities set to profit from the opera house performances are CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) Mind Your Mate & Yourself, Brain Injuries Matters and the Declan McMullan Trust.

“We have just realised no matter how bad Declan’s condition is there is always somebody worse off,” said Mark. “We have no right to complain but every right to help.”

Mark added that he was keeping Declan informed all the way about the ambitious plans for Sunset Boulevard and St Patrick’s.

Mark is starring as Joe Gillis, an unsuccessful screenwriter who meets a faded silent movie star who draws him into her fantasy world as she dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen. He says he was initially unfamiliar with the story but following early rehearsals believes the glimpse into this cutthroat and dazzling world will appeal to even non-musical fans.

“It is something I have never experienced before,” he said. “The type of musicals I have been used to before are about a boy and girl falling in love and a happy ending. There are a lot of dark twists in this one. There are so many different stories in it.

“So many things you can relate to and other things surprise you.

“It is very interesting the twists and turns in their relationship.”

As well as raising money for charity, St Patrick’s is looking to further its reputation in the musical world.

“A lot of St Patrick’s members also take roles in companies in Belfast,” said Mark. “Everybody knows about the four big musical societies in Belfast, and we want to prove St Patrick’s is as good as anybody else.

“Every year the more and more shows you do, the more new members you get the company goes from strength to strength.”

Mark studies architecture at university and would love a stint in the West End before a career combining his love of both architecture and music.

“When I started doing singing I thought to myself, I would love to be a singer but I know that  doesn’t happen for many people. Then I started architecture and love it. It feels like the moment you give up trying to become a singer it happens.”

Sunset Boulevard also stars award winning local actress Fiona Keegan, with a talented team behind the scenes — musical director Gareth Mc Greevy, choreographer Ditanya McKinty and director is Gary Warnock. 

Chairman of St Patrick’s Choral Society, Brian McElroy, said the Sunset Boulevard production demonstrated how far the society had come from its formation in the 1960s.

“It is a huge production and a massive opportunity for St Patrick’s Choral Society,” he said.

“Declan McGrady was the founder member and I am sure he did not envisage 52 years later we would be having a production in the Grand Opera House.

“As a full society this is the first time we have been invited.”

“We are really hoping that a lot of local people will support us and make the journey to Belfast. We do have a lot of loyal support. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us.”

Tickets from £19.50 can be booked via the Grand Opera House website or on 02890 24 1919, A facebook page has been set up at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunset-Boulevard-at-GOH-Belfast/425555327614326