Stellar Longford cast thrill for ‘One Night Only’

The St Mel’s Musical Society ‘One Night Only’ featured members of the Evolution Stage School in an entertainment extravaganza.

Pre-senior and senior students of Evolution Stage School, along with members of St Mel’s Musical Society took to the stage with a mix of music, song and dance including pop, musical theatre and tap dancing.

Chairperson of the Society, Karen Reilly, was delighted with the way the show went, “This was our first stage outing in quite a while for some of the stars of the show, but it really delivered a great night of entertainment.”

The ties between Evolution and St Mel’s Musical Society are strengthened by the young people who have progressed through the stage school to feature in this year's production ‘Footloose’. Headed up by Tracey Carty and Paul Hennessy, performance professionals with huge experience, Evolution Stage School is one of the top performing arts schools in Ireland.

Paul said Saturday night was a huge success, “A few years ago we did ‘A Night on Broadway’ as a fundraiser for St Mel's Musical Society. We haven't been able to do it in the last few years because everything was closed. This was our first chance to come back. It was a full house. The place was hopping, it really was a great night.”

The audience reaction to the programme was overwhelming. “Everyone loved it, they were blown away. They cheered all night, so many standing ovations. It was a great family night. A lot of people brought their kids to it, we had a number of the younger Evolution Stage School students in the audience as well.

“It was also a chance for some of the kids who recently joined us to experience a live show. It gave them a taste of what we do. They loved it,” Paul explained.

For many of the young performers this was a new experience. “It gave the young people the opportunity to get onstage and feel the buzz of performing. It was great. It was a hotel stage, so it had certain limitations, but they adapted to it. This is a testament to the skills they have. They just blown people away, they are amazing. There were over 100 students onstage, from solo performers to group performances. We are so proud of them.”

With ‘One Night Only’ out of the way, plans are already in train for the next outing. “The next Evolution show will be in the Roscommon Arts Centre. That is at the end of March. After that 'Footloose' is the next outing for some of our members and after that.”

Paul says there are many benefits of on stage skills. “It brings a lot into a young person's life. It develops social skills and confidence. We have spoken to parents and teachers of our students who remark on how the grounding we give them can transform some young people from shy to being totally outgoing. It gives the pupils confidence and the realisations of the talent they have within themselves.”

Last Saturday the audience generously donated to a raffle in aid of Laura Gilmore Anderson which raised €1,110 toward the young mother's bid to travel to Mexico for life saving treatment.

Paul says that ‘One Night Only’ was the perfect way to whet the appetite for 'Footloose' which runs from April 11 to 15 next.