Pupils delight local audiences

The production was a highlight of the Autumn Term, with a week of performances opening on 12th October with a Primary School Matinee, and four evening performances from 13th October played to full houses in the College Hall.

The production was directed by Loreto’s Head of Drama, Mrs Oonah McEwan, with Choirmaster Mr Howard Gillespie as Musical Director.

In the lead role of Maria, Caitlin Martin (Year 13) was luminous, opposite her was Connor Dudley Fergus (Year 14) as a gallant Captain Von Trapp.

The Von Trapp children were played by Roisin McMorrough (Year 12), Pearse Donaghy (Year 12), Aine Quigley (Year 11), Aine Apperley (Year 9), Patrick McMullan (Year 9), Orla McEwan (Year 9) and Erin McReynolds (Year 10).

This was a strong ensemble performance with a credible family atmosphere, and individually the children were cleverly and winningly characterised, from the starry-eyed Liesl experiencing first love to the innocence of the baby of the family, Gretl.

All seven brought their characters to life, with memorable vocal performances. Captain Von Trapp’s initial love interest, Elsa Schrader, was played winningly

and intriguingly by Therese Mullaghan (Year 14). Her friend, Max Detweiler, was played in a fine comic performance by Niall Hunter (Year 14): a superb foil to Elsa, Niall made Max a fine comic and, eventually, opportunistic and vaguely threatening character. As the love interest for Liesl, Gareth Doherty (Year 14) in a subtle performance suggested a gallant, lovestruck but conflicted young man, while John Joe O’Neill and Cormac McCarry (both Year 13) combined strong stage presence and an air of threat as members of the Nazi Party and German Navy, respectively. Niamh Morrison (Year 13) led the Nuns’ Chorus as a wonderful Mother Abbess, serene and wise and yet with a sense of fun. Alongside her, the Nuns’ Chorus was led by Aoife Boorman (Year 13), Brona Mackle (Year 12) and Niamh Cunning (Year 12), in mature, finely judged cameo performances. There were sympathetic performances by Rachel Wilkinson, Daniel Catterson and Orla Rafferty (all Year 14) as the housekeeper, butler and servant of the Von Trapp household; dancers and soldiers brought to life as individuals by a talented ensemble cast.