Curtains, a Northern Ireland premier, a murder mystery whodunit musical, will be running in Newcastle.
The cast are currently putting the finishing touches to this very engaging musical with a difference. It is technically a show within a show. When leading lady Jessica Cranshaw dies on the opening night, policeman Lieutenant Choiffi gets involved in the investigation. The cast say the show must stop until the murderer is found, but Choiffi says the show must go on, being a fan of musicals … and it does… with more murders. So, whodunit? Everyone is under suspicion!
The show will run for seven nights, and as the Glee singers are on the cusp of celebrating their 70th anniversary, they are looking once again for all their fans over the years to turn up on the seven performances in the: Annesley Hall in Newcastle from Thursday to Saturday 2-4th May and from Wednesday to Saturday 5-11th May.
Emma Nugent, Glees Singers chairperson, said: “The Newcastle Glees Musical Society are very fortunate in that we were the first to put in for a licence to play Curtains in Northern Ireland. It has been shown on Broadway in New York and will be coming to the Grand Opera House in Belfast in November and Jason Munford will be playing the Lieutenant. So this show is really a big step for the Glees and it will definitely be a big hit with the audiences.
“There is a cast of around fifty, from experienced hands to novices. And we have a few Junior Glees too in the cast which is fantastic.
“We have been rehearsing relentlessly since January. Every has been working so hard during the rehearsals and they are really shaping up.
“We have performed smash hit musicals such as Sister Act in 2018 so we are really ready for this on. We have a huge experience in our ranks such as Edna Howard who stepped down from the chair after 23 years last year.
“I am so prod of the Glees, as their achievements over the years have been top drawer. The production of Curtains is coming together with the hard work and dedication of the singers and actors, and also the backroom workers who are also superb in their own right from set design, sound, lighting,props, costumes, make-up, and front of house. The Glees are a great team who just keep on delivering quality shows.”
Emma said she first got involved with the Glees when she was ten years old, and added: “It has been an absolutely brilliant experience with th eGlees and I would encourage anyone interested in acting or singing to contact us.
“Curtains is really shaping up. It will run for seven h=nights over two weeks, and the show last approximately two and a half hours with the break. Tickets are on sale now.
“We have exciting plans for our seventieth anniversary next year, so watch this space! We have come a long way with around 65 productions since performing Trial by Jury in 1957.”
Choreographer Timmy Bell, who has worked on the Glees productions of Thoroughly Modern, The Addams Family, and ‘9 to 5’, the musical. Also a choreographer with the Belfast Operatic Society, Timmy’s stage experience kicked off at the tender age of four with the McMaster Stage School in Bangor. In 2018 he choreographed the Glees production of Grease and
Timmy said: “I have worked on many top productions in my stage career with the Belfast Operatic Company and I’m delighted to say the Glees are shaping up really well for Curtains. Last year I worked on Sister Act which was a great success.
“I also teach on Saturday’s at the McMaster Stage School. I’ve lots of experience of bringing on actors and dancers and the Glees are coming good at the right moment.
“Curtains is a very different type of show. It is very funny, and I have pushed the performers all the way. It was challenging getting comedy into the dance but we have succeeded. This is a very lively show with lots of laughs.”
Show director Neil Keery added: “Everyone has worked so hard and come on leaps and bounds. This is a great show and will not disappoint the audiences. Once again, the Glees are showing that they can rise to the occasion, and this premier will be another super success for them.”
You can book online at: http://www.gr8events.ie/glees/curtains
Venue: Annesley Hall, South Promenade, Newcastle, BT30 30 EX.
Time show starts: 7.30pm.
Dates: during 2-11 May 2019.
Tickets: £15 per person.
Box office: gleesonlinebooking@hotmail.com
Or call into MrCready’s Shoe Style in Newcastle for help with online booking.
