The entire cast and crew that scooped the national title for Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach
By Elizabeth Lee
STUDENTS from Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach have just scooped an all-Ireland title in An Féile Scoildrámaíochta Náisiúnta – the Irish language nationwide school drama festival.
The talented students’ entry was Thuas seal thíos seal – a musical inspired by the everlasting tensions between townies and their country brethren.
The story focused on two competing gangs with fearsome leaders and rattles along from simmering tensions to a fight scene. For the romantics, there’s also a love twist, which leads to an unlikely coming together of the gangs, thus consigning 20 years of rivalry to the past and uniting Ceatharlach – an áit is fearr.
Lucy and Corey from fifth year were in the headline all-singing all-dancing roles as Tay Tay Shakina and Seáinín Sheosaimh Sheáin Ollmhór. They were ably assisted by sixth years Dearbhla and Annissa on live musical accompaniment and the stage director Lily. Grace, Doireann, Abbie and Toni were able stagehands throughout and a large group of enthusiastic first years, who are equally talented as actors and choreographers, added enthusiasm, musicality and stage presence to the production.
Having progressed through a preliminary round organised by Glór Cheatharlach in Visual and through the Leinster festival in the Mullingar Arts Centre, the Thuas seal thíos seal crew returned to Mullingar Arts Festival to perform on 17 April in Craobh na hÉireann. After four days of performances and adjudication, the winners were announced on 24 April.
They’re all looking forward to attending an awards ceremony in An Clasac theatre, Clontarf in May.
