Angela's Ashes back @ the GOH, WOW!
Last night we visited the Grand Opera House to see the return of the stage musical of Angela's Ashes, it comes back to Belfast after a sell out debut run 2 years ago.
We had the please of seeing the show 2 years ago, this was my first proper introduction to the story, as a child I regrettably never read the book, I did see some of the movie though my memory was slightly lacking.
2 years on I am besides myself with excitement about the return. That my sound strange due to the context of the show though the music and story were intoxicating and have been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to see the show again, this time though I cam prepared with tissues at the ready, if memory serves me correct I was a blurting mess 2 years ago.
Ok so ill give you the run down. Firstly i'll say that there is no need to be familiar with the story as the Musical abduction is so easy to follow, David Wray the MD done what can only be described as a beautiful job, so many heart felt numbers with a great mix of comedic tunes.
About the Cast
West End star Jacinta Whyte returned in the helm to reprise her role as Angela. Dublin born Jacinta Whyte has made her mark on the international stage performing in some of the biggest musicals of all time including, Les Miserables, Blood Brothers and Miss Saigon. From the moment Jacinta walked onto the stage as a child in the title role of Annie in the original production in London’s West End, it was clear that a musical star had been born.
The role of Frank was played by Eoin Cannon whose career has included The Woman In White (Palace Theatre, London – alongside Michael Crawford and Michael Ball), The Wizard Of Oz, Jerry Springer – The Opera, Michael Collins – A Musical Drama, Grease and the European tour of Beauty And The Beast as well as performing as a featured lead singer in Riverdance. Television work includes Fair City (RTE) and The Bloody Irish (PBS). Eoin was also in the original run, it is great to have him portray Frank he narrates and plays the character to perfection, I couldn't imagine anyone else in the role.
The Story in a Nut Shell
Franks parents struggle to provide for him and his brothers in 1940's Ireland, we follow young Frank’s escapades and experiences in a Dickensian landscape peopled by a drunken father, a helpless mother, pompous priests, bullying schoolmasters, money-lenders and dancing-teachers, culminating in his defiant escape to a new life in America. Along the way there is sadness, excitement and so much more.
Those with appreciation for the arts should take the time to see this production, the acting, movement, singing and staging worked seamlessly together, from what I initially thought would be doom and gloom actually was surprisingly funny and completly captivating
The show runs in the Grand Opera House until Saturday performances each evening at 7.30pm and Matinees on Thursday & Saturday at 2.30pm
Visit www.goh.co.uk/whats-on/angelas-ashes for tickets or call their box office on 028 9024 1919, you don't want to miss out and have to wait another 2 years or possibly longer for it to come back.
