Past Productions

DuailteTracey Dunk
Fionn Clarke Finn
Julie Winter Charles
Greg O'Sullivan Bass player
Niall O'Higgins Duncannon
Malcolm George Finbar
Trish Howley Charlotte
Boris Nicholson Sir Gob

The Orphans Kia Greenan,
Chloe O'Neill, Emily O'Sullivan,
C.J. Collins

Director: Wendela Rosenberg Polak
Producer: Malcolm George

Set & Costume Design: Veronique Gerber

Lighting / Design: Malcolm George

Stage Manager: Veronique Gerber

Stage/Set Construction: Greg O'Suilleabhain
Costume Assistant: Liz Greenan
Light/Sound: Laura Meiland

Make-up: Rosemary Lane and
Eliona Walker
Special Effects: Solas Dubh
Publicist/ P.R: Chris May

'Last night's performance of Beehive Theatre's The Christmas Hit ended to generous applause from a delighted audience that had just joined the cast in a singalong of the Christmas Hit itself, 'I've Fallen in Love with a Fairy'. Mike Venner's new play is the tale of a seventies rock and roll band split apart by success and love, only to have the three principles meet again thirty years later to reconsider and reassess, to see what they've become.

In the early scenes, beneath a Che Guevara banner, we're treated to the work of Dubhaltach Treacey as Dunk, the lead singer, Fionn Clark as Finn the shy guitarist, and Julie Winter as the exuberant Charles. Their strong performances of adolescent plights bring the audience to care about them, even while laughing at their dilemmas. When the middle-aged, now married, Charlotte and Finbarr, played by seasoned performers Trish Howley and Malcolm George, are visited by the now rich and famous Duncannon in the person of Niall O'Higgins, the stage is set for clearing the air on the past. All ends well as Boris Nicholson as the larger-than-life Sir Gob in a bouncing Santa hat dispenses the wish of each heart to all.

Throughout, Mike Venner's script kept the audience laughing, while the music and lyrics, wonderful in their requisite awfulness when they needed to be, contributed to the enjoyment. The young performers Treacey, Clark and Winter, acquitted themselves admirably in song and dance, while Trish Howley's slow torch song wishing to rewind time struck the perfect poignant note. Julie Winter delighted with her manic tambourine and back-up dance. Niall O'Higgins was exaggeratedly and wonderfully tortured in his fame and ruffled satin shirt. The performances were well enhanced by the costumes and the blocking, which showed that time may pass, but often little changes.

And what would a Christmas play be without some orphans? Beehive's four little ones, dressed in burlap and Santa hats, sang sweetly and admirably, sobbed charmingly on cue when it was required, and enjoyed the applause at the curtain call immensely.

In the finale, candy was flung to the audience and glitter was flung into the air as the audience clapped and sang. Everyone leaving seemed to be smiling, a Christmas hit indeed for Beehive.'

- Sandra Landers