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By Michelle Crean

A night of musical theatre with the best of local talent is planned in Killarney next week as Killarney Musical Society (KMS) brings ‘The Sound Of Music’ to the INEC stage.

Currently the cast are in the throes of final preparations for their 34th production, which takes place from Tuesday, February 26 to Thursday, February 28, inclusive.

The 1965 American musical drama, which includes popular songs such as ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and ‘Edelweiss’,tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun.

“It is one of those musicals that we all grew up with, know and love,” Orna Clearly O’Shea from KMS told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

“She falls in love with the children and their widowed father, Captain von Trapp, who is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide to flee from Austria with the children. And so unfolds the beautiful Von Trapp love story that is ‘The Sound Of Music’.”

Killarney Musical Society began their journey last September with a launch night, auditions followed, cast announcements made and rehearsals have been ongoing since October 2018.

The role of Maria will be played by talented Killarney girl Siobháin Bustin who first joined the society in 2008.

“This is Siobháin's ninth show with KMS. She is thrilled to be playing the 'dream role' of Maria, which just so happens to be a role she dreamt of playing since she was a little girl.”

Captain Von Trapp is being played by Derek O'Leary, a long serving member of KMS - this being his 28 consecutive show with the society, she added.

Brid Mills, who joined the Society in 2012, takes on the role of the Mother Abbess, a warm, maternal yet authoritativeperson.

“This is Brid's fifth show with KMS. She feels honoured and delighted to be chosen to play the role, and is thrilled to get the opportunity to share the stage with her daughter Gracie, along with her husband who are both treading the boards with KMS for the first time.”

There are many supporting roles in this musical being played by Judy Rezin, Claire Sheehan, Brónagh Murphy, Harriet McGuigan, Pádraig Creedon, Des Furlong, Peter Cook, Conor O'Leary, Chris Mills, Orlaith Monks, Sarah O'Sullivan and Orna Cleary O'Shea.

“The Society are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with and include children in this year's production. It's not possible to select a musical that includes children regularly due to availability restrictions from rights holders, so when the society got the chance to secure the rights of ‘The Sound Of Music’ almost 12 months ago, they grabbed it.”

The Von Trapp family members are played by Lillie Foley and Sarah Trant, Brayden Slattery, Jack McCrohan, Saoirse O'Sullivan, Leana Hofman, Denis Moroney, Colm O'Brien, Clodagh O'Sullivan, Aoife O'Callaghan, Emily O'Shea, Lucy McCarthy, Caoimhe Murray, Féile O'Sullivan and Jonathan O'Keeffe.

She added that the society are delighted to welcome Peter Kennedy as new Director/Choreographer to Killarney this year and the society have the pleasure of working with Musical Director, Mr Noël Lennon once again.

As with any organisation there are always those people who beaver away behind the scenes, she added.

“Thankfully each and everyone involved in these areas of Killarney Musical Society do so without hesitation year in year out, and so for that the Society are forever grateful. As an amateur society KMS depend on their audiences, patrons and sponsors to keep the ‘boat afloat' from year-to-year, and are deeply indebted and thankful to you all for your unending support. A special word of thanks to our main sponsor this year, Independent Irish Health Foods Ltd. So now you know what you need to do, get your tickets,” she said.