For their 15th anniversary, Muse Productions are pulling out all the stops, producing the classic 90’s rock Musical “RENT” in St Patrick’s Comprehensive School.
15 years ago, Muse was born out of the desire to bring new and challenging theatre to Shannon, with an emphasis on youth and energy. Their first production was “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare, but with the children of the warring families portrayed by students from St Patrick’s Comprehensive School and St Camin’s Community School.
This emphasis has carried forward to the present through many stellar productions including “The 39 Steps”, “The Crucible”, “A Few Good Men”, “Shakespeare in Love”, “The Odd Couple”, “Alone it Stands”, “A Night in November” and many more plays, in addition to several award winning musicals including “Man of la Mancha”, “Our House” and most recently “Forever Plaid”.
“RENT” brings together both traditions in an explosive new way. This is a dramatic piece, a rock opera, and experimental theatre at its finest. Director Martin McNelis has envisioned a dramatic reshaping of the theatrical space, transforming the Comprehensive School Hall into an industrial lot with a walkway down the center of the hall, with no audience member more than five rows from the action. With a minimalist set, this is a bold undertaking that puts the audience in the heart of the action.
It promises to be unlike anything seen in the town before. The production sports a dynamic young local cast, including Nathan Canning as “Roger”, Aoife McNelis as “Mimi”, Ethan Doyle as “Angel”, Cian Ryan as “Collins”, Conor McNelis as “Mark”, Aoife Daly as “Maureen”, Shauna Byrne as “Joanne” and Cillian Fahy as “Benny” supported by a multi-talented ensemble. Choreography is by Jay Molyneaux who joins Muse for the first time from Galway, while regular collaborator Mary Rose McNally returns as Musical director overseeing a five piece rock band.
“RENT” tells the story of a group of friends living in New Yorks upper east side, grappling with issues of love, loss and the AIDS crisis. It is an uplifting tale of hope in the face of despair and love triumphing over hate. With incredible songs like “Seasons of Love”, “Without You”, “One Song, Glory” and the title song “RENT” this is a powerhouse musical in the finest rock tradition.
The production runs from Oct 29th to Nov 1st and tickets are currently on sale at www.ticketsource.com/muse