The Commitments

What a powerful and thoroughly enjoyable performance of Roddy Doyle's "The Commitments" from the Form 5 drama team! These students even wrote the stage version themselves - Andrew Donovan, Bill O'Cleirigh, Sarah McCoy, Tom Roseingrave and Ben Harding - well done! The whole performance captured the elation as well as the tragedy which accompanied the rise and fall of this amateur band in 1980s Dublin.
It is hard to comprehend how much work has gone into this production which expertly combined stage play with rock (soul?) concert - the writing began during the last school year. The production drew on the exceptional dramatic, singing, dancing and musical talent of this particular group of students. On the night the writer attended, there wasn't a single weak or unsure performance among the whole cast. It is always difficult to single out some performances but the length of this article necessitates it - the inspirational Jimmy Rabbitte (Bill O'Cleirigh), the wise oul' chancer Joey Fagan (Danyal Fox), the incredible singing voices of Patrick King and Alex McLaughlin Callan as Outspan and Deco, and the confident harmonised performances of Molly Hughes, Lara Madden and Stephanie Lodola as the "girls in the band".
Aimee Jones O'Connor's cameo as the wise old mother Fagan and the brilliantly improvised wit of Tom Roseingrave and Louis Gregg added hugely to audience enjoyment of the humorous side of the production.
Everybody involved in support work deserves a big cheer here - stage manager Andrew Donovan, set designers, props, lights, sound, choreography, costumes, make up and administration - all were great! Well done and thanks to Director Barry O'Kelly for a great show. Thanks also to all other staff involved.
This show was essentially about music, soul music, and the soul of the show was undoubtedly the incredible pit band, directed by Form 5 student Keenan Lacey, with Aaron Sturdy, Darragh Tate, Luke Byrne, Clive Drakeford, Ray Martin and Rob Geraghty. Any professional production would have been well served by this well rehearsed, tight, balanced band - amazing, lads.

FAIR TRADE FAIR

Sat 29 November 10.00 - 2.30 Reynolds Hall - Christmas cards, gifts, foods, crafts, jewellery, toys, superb REFRESHMENTS! Please come!!

Fixtures and training this week

Girls hockey
Jun C (L) Loreto Mullingar Wed 26 Home 1.15
Min B, 1st Yr A St Columba's Wed 26 Home 2.15
Jun B, 1st Yr C St Columba's Wed 26 Home 3.15
Sen 2 St Columba's Wed 26 Away 2.15
Sen 3 St Columba's Wed 26 Away 3.15
!st Yr ABC Alexandra Fri 28 Away 3.00
Sen 3 (L), Jun A Our Lady's Grove Sat 29 Home 9.00
Sen 2, Jun B Our Lady's Grove Sat 29 Home 10.00
Min A Our Lady's Grove Sat 29 Away 9.00
Min B Our Lady's Grove Sat 29 Away 10.00
1st Yr A Our Lady's Grove Sat 29 Away 11.00
1st Yr B (L) Rathdown Sat 29 Away 11.00
Boys hockey
Senior Kilkenny Wed 26 Kilkenny 1.45
Junior Sandford Wed 26 UCD 2.00
Rugby
1st XV, 2nd XV Blackrock Wed 26 Away 2.30
JCT Templeogue Wed 26 Away 2.30
U 16 Liberty St Sat 29 Home 11.00
U 14 Sandford Sat 29 Home 11.00
Canoeing
Liffey trips - Sat 29 Nov 9.30 - 3.00 approx, Sat 6 Dec 8.45 - 2.00 approx
Suitable only for pupils who have already been canoeing - sign up with Mr Cryan in the Technical building.
Results - well done!
In girls hockey 1st Yr A beat Sancta Maria 5-0 in the league, Minor C beat Santa Sabina 3-0 in the league, Minor A drew 1-1 against Loreto Foxrock in the league, 1st YR C drew 0-0 against St Andrew's, Minor A beat Alexandra 2-1, Minor B drew 1-1 vs Alexandra, Senior 4 drew 3-3 against Holy faith Clontarf. In boys hockey the senior beat Wesley 2nd XI 5-1. In boys golf, the seniors beat Terenure College, Paul O'Kelly and Jack Walsh 1 u.p. and Paddy Butler and Owen Carroll also 1 u.p.