Whistle Down the Wind opens tonight!
Review by Olga Aughey
Powerful, heart wrenching and uplifting are just some of the sentiments that spring to mind while watching Whistle Down the Wind.
This breathtaking musical score by Andrew Lloyd Webber brought to you by the Mullingar Student Players transports the audience in the Mullingar Arts Centre to America’s deep south.
It’s a coming of age story about the teenage turmoil that stems from the transition of teetering on the edge of childhood, unsure of whether to take that giant leap into adulthood.
Swallow, played by Rebecca Heery, is the centre point from which the story unfolds. She befriends a mysterious stranger, played by Conor Walsh.
They live in a God fearing land and time, and there is a constant battle of wills between what is right and what is wrong, good and evil.
Willow has two younger siblings, “Brat” played by Nathan Daly and “Poor Baby” played by Megan Bates who gave outstanding performances, as did their cast mates, of which there were 27.
The children in this production, all learning drama, dance and song in the Arts Centre’s Academy, stood out because they threw themselves into the drama, giving it their all! What a delight it is to watch them on stage!
Playing the male fugitive, simply called “The Man”, is second-year Trinity student Conor Walsh. And what an amazing performance! Considering he just finished The Crucible on the same stage last weekend, Walsh nailed the character!
Outstanding also were Chris Corroon as The Preacher for “raising up” the performance and helping others who may have been suffering from first night nerves; Voice of Ireland contestant Graham Dowling as Amos and his love interest Candy played by Rebecca Doolin, both who gave powerful and soulful performances! As did Richie Geoghegan who plays the over protective father Boone to three youngsters. A touching performance!
Also standing out were Earl played by Paul McDermott; Ed - Aidan Ennis; Sheriff - Liam Gilleran; Winston- James Craig; and Elizabeth - Ellen Sleator.
What helps create the magic is, of course, the music in Whistle Down The Wind such as Vaults of Heaven, No Matter What, When Children Rule the World, A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing to Waste, Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts, and the musical title Whistle Down the Wind. The nine-piece orchestra were amazing as was musical director and conductor Angela Lynch.
There were some great ensembles, choreographed brilliantly by Siobhan Murphy, while imagery knew no bounds in this production!
Powerful backdrops help create the world of the Deep South. Playing on the good versus evil scenario, director Sean Lynch created some particularly powerful scenes, including one involving The Man, Amos and Swallow - could The Man really be Jesus Christ?
The Arts Centre never fail to go all out on sets and this show does not disappoint, complete with a real motorbike on stage, and later, a hang onto your seats moment of a burning barn! There are so many it isn’t possible to mention them all here!
Without giving away too much of the story, Whistle Down the Wind is certainly one for all the family - it truly is a moving and uplifting musical.
- Whistle Down The Wind, Mullingar Arts Centre every night this week, until Saturday September 21. Tickets are available from the Arts Centre box office on 044 937 777.