Sweeney Todd a 'labour of love'

Ray Purcell, lead actor, confident Mullingar Musical Society will put on a great show this week

As Mullingar Musical Society members prepare to take to the stage for their production of Sweeney Todd this Halloween, the lead, Ray Purcell, is feeling confident the cast will put on a spectacular show.

The Musical Society began rehearsals last July and have been practising once or twice a week, ahead of opening night on Wednesday, October 30.

“We’re down at the Arts Centre most nights, putting the finishing touches on things. It’s been an enjoyable experience. It’s a good cast,” said Ray, who will take on the role of Sweeney Todd this week.

Sweeney Todd, he said, is not “the easiest role in the world”, but Ray is certainly taking any challenge he faces in his stride as he prepares to play the murderous barber .

“I hadn’t done any shows in about six years, but I decided when I saw the show come up that it was something that I wanted to do; it’s a part I’ve always wanted to play. And I went into it not realising how much work was involved,” he said. “But, you know, it’s been a labour of love, I suppose. It’s been a lot of evenings trying to remember lines, and it’s singing and the dialogue and everything.

“It’s a cut above any other musical I’ve done before. It’s really difficult. Stephen Sondheim wrote the music to it and it’s quite a difficult part to play. But I’ve looked forward to the challenge of it. And I think I’m at a place now where I can somewhat relax and hopefully put on a decent performance.”

The show will have something for everybody this Halloween, comedy, a bit of horror and a lot of drama.

“And for the first time in many years, there’s a live orchestra during the show. So, you know, it’s a full experience that people will get, which we don’t too often have at the Arts Centre. So it’s really one not to be missed,” said Ray.

And, of course, there’s a stellar cast who will bring the entire story alive for audiences over the course of four nights.

“The people that are in it, I’ve done shows with them over the years. And, you know, like myself, some of them haven’t done shows in many years, but we’ve come back for this because it’s such a big musical,” said Ray.

“So the cast, I would say, is one of the stronger casts that we’ve had in a number of years.”

The show runs at Mullingar Arts Centre from October 30 to November 2, at 8pm. Preview tickets are available for opening night at €12.50; regular price €17.60/€16 for remaining nights, including Halloween. Book at mullingarartscentre.ie or 04493 47777.