Some of the younger members of the cast in Joey Telescope. Photo by Frames of Mind.

Birr's Joey Telescope back for two nights only

Great news for those of you who got to see the Birr based-musical 'Joey Telescope' – it’s back! Even better news for those of you who didn’t – it’s back!!

Birr Stage Guild are delighted to announce that Joey Telescope will run again for two nights in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on Wednesday, March 13th and Thursday, March 14th. Tickets are selling fast and this show is sure to be a sell out.

'Joey Telescope' is the story with music of young Joey Hackett from Pound Street and his adventures with his telescope. The music and story has been written by Michael Donegan and musical arrangement and direction is by Enda O’Connor.

The action is very much set in Birr past and present and takes place in and around the familiar streets of the town. Indeed, Birr’s connection with the giant telescope of Birr Castle is reflected in the story.  Michael Donegan has assembled a superb cast of adults, teenagers and children and rehearsals have been going full pace for the past number of weeks.

While the story is fictional it does reflect the actual history of the town with particular emphasis on the history of the workhouse and the unfortunate inmates who sought shelter there in famine times. Throw in a few dodgy modern-day property developers, a vain glorious politician or two and a host of ghostly phantoms from the past along with the ordinary townspeople and you get a flavour of what the show has to offer.

Michael Donegan has written a dozen completely new songs and the action moves quickly from the past to the present and back again. The story centres on a crooked scheme to demolish the workhouse and replace it with a commercial development unknown to the people of the town. But the schemers haven’t reckoned with a young boy and his magic telescope, a fanatical old history teacher (Missy Cleary), some high-minded teenagers and some ghostly children from the past.

William Holmes from Rathcabbin makes his debut with the Stage Guild as the ‘Joey’ of the title. The cast includes students from St Brendan’s Community School and also children from St Brendan’s Boys and Mercy Primary Schools. This show will feature much technical innovation with the use of back projection and complex lighting effects.

Michael Donegan has sought the help of Mrs Margaret Hogan in researching the historical background of the workhouse.

The recent sale of the old workhouse gives the subject added significance although the author emphasised that the events depicted in the show are completely fictitious.

The production style is based on the idea of community theatre in that it involves a very big cast of 40+ of all ages and the subject matter reflects typical experiences and concerns which might occur in any community.

Bookings can be made by calling Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on 057 919122911, by visiting the booking website www.birrtheatre.com or by calling to the theatre after 1.00 p.m Monday to Friday.

Birr Stage Guild would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Offaly County Council and Creative Ireland for their grant aid, and they would especially like to thank Michael Donegan for the opportunity to stage this creative and innovative musical drama.