PHOTOS: Mounthawk Students To Bring Shakespeare Classic To Siamsa Stage

Pierse O’Brien, Amy Roche, Joshua Maguire and Liam Tuite at rehearsals for Mercy Mounthawk’s production of William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Photo by Dermot Crean

IT may be Christmas, but the students of Mercy Mounthawk are already looking ahead to the new year and their upcoming production of a Shakespearean classic.

TraleeToday.ie visited the school on Thursday morning where the students were rehearsing for ‘Romeo And Juliet’ which will be performed at Siamsa Tíre from Thursday, January 26, Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28.

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Every second year the school alternates between a drama and a musical and this will be the first time the school tackles the bard.

They have a tough act to follow as the production of ‘Les Miserables’ earlier this year and ‘The Plough And The Stars’ from 2015 won Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards.

The school took home the top prize in the Best Set category for its set design in the school’s production ‘Les Misérables’ and then the big one – Best Overall School Play for ‘The Plough and the Stars’.

Hugo Wells (Romeo) William Dineen (Friar) and Dakota Carter O’Flynn at rehearsals for Mercy Mounthawk’s production of William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Photo by Dermot Crean

The students have been in rehearsals since September and things are coming together nicely with just a month to curtain up.

“It will be a full Shakespearean play and we hope to do it justice,” said director, Tony Behan. “We have very high standards and we aim to maintain them with this play.”

Other teachers involved are Andrea Thornton, Ellen McKenna, Denise Buckley, Aisling O’Connor, Noreen Sheldon, Elaine Costello and costumes by Mary Barry and Marie Kearney. Tadhg O’Sullivan, woodwork teacher will design the set.

Many of the students have been involved in previous productions but there are lots of newcomers too.

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“It’s a mighty week for them just before the performances. They’re busy now rehearsing and they’ll come in for two day rehearsals during the holidays,” said Tony.

“It’s marvellous for them, first of all for their confidence – the chance to perform in public – and secondly for the camaraderie. They realise it’s a team effort and they won’t want to let each other down,” he said.

Judging by the award-winning productions of the past, it’s set to be a fantastic few performances from the young actors. Scroll down for photos…