Longford's Paul Hennessy stepping into leading male role for 9 to 5

Excitement levels are really rising in Longford as St Mel's Musical Society inches closer to the opening night of this year's production.

And, while 9 to 5 is a musical known primarily for its female characters, there's one man who is ready to take to the stage in the leading male role of Franklin Hart.

Paul Hennessy is no stranger to the Longford stage. In fact, together with Tracey Carthy, he runs Evolution Stage School, which has produced some of the best young talent this county has seen in the past decade.

He's also involved in the newly-formed Longford Traditional Panto, which will be producing Cinderella in December.

Right now, though, his focus is on his role as the big boss man in 9 to 5.

Read also: Eimear Reynolds channels her inner Dolly Parton for St Mel's Musical Society, Longford production of 9 to 5

“He’s not as much a bad guy as I was last year,” said Paul, harking back to his role as Curtis in Sister Act last year.

“He’s more the egotistical boss, you know? If you think of Ricky Gervais in the office, he’s that kind of guy... multiplied by ten.

“The women in the office don’t like me and they decide to take over the place and they think of all these ideas to get rid of me.

“It’s a big part for me to play. It’s a very demanding part because there’s a lot of stuff going on where they’re tying me up and I have to be hung up and everything,” he laughed.

Paul will be performing opposite a strong, talented trio of women, Natasha Brady, Eimear Reynolds and Valerie Nolan, but will be well able to hold his own and wow the crowds with his own musical talent.

Tickets are already selling fast for this year's musical, which opens on Friday, April 5, and will run at 8pm nightly until Saturday, April 13.

There will also be a Sunday matinee show on April 7, which will kick off at 3pm.

Tickets can be purchased via the Backstage Theatre box office, backstage.ie or by calling 043 33 47888.

Tickets are also available at Farrell Coy in Longford town. For updates and news, follow St Mel's Musical Society on Facebook.

Read next: Natasha working round the clock for St Mel's Musical Society's production of 9 to 5 in Longford's Backstage Theatre