Local talent to shine in 'Come from Away' production

AUDIENCES in the North West are set for a treat this week when the Tony winning musical ‘Come from Away’ is brought to life in An Grianan Theatre by Letterkenny Musical Society (LMS) - and there is plenty of local talent on stage for a spectacular show that is smarter, funnier and far more moving than audiences ever expect.

The show tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada, that welcomed them when 38 planes were diverted there in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Opening last night (Tuesday) and running until Saturday 14, LMS will be the first amateur society to perform the much-loved musical in the North West - but with the talent Letterkenny Musical Society has at its disposal, there is never any doubt that their production will be anything other than superb.

Famed for welcoming the very best talent from Donegal, Derry and Strabane into their shows year after year, it is precisely this that has allowed the LMS shows to earn huge popularity following masterful productions of West End and Broadway smash hits including 'Nine to 5', 'Evita', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Addams Family', 'Kinky Boots' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', to name but a few.

Indeed, that talent this time once again includes Newtown’s Giles Murray, a versatile and seasoned performer who has entertained audiences for over sixteen years with a series of stunning performances including Judas in 'Jesus Christ Superstar', Don in 'Kinky Boots' and Gomez in 'The Addams Family'.

This time Giles takes on the role of Oz Gander’s police constable, although like almost everyone else on stage, he has multiple characters to play in this lively and fast-paced production.

Crana College music teacher, Laura Keogh, makes her LMS debut but she is no stranger to the stage having graced the most amazing performance platforms, as a singer and presenter following her Pop Idol fame in 2001.

Laura’s portrayal of the Hannah O’Rourke, a mother searching for news of her firefighter son, is one that will leave audiences truly amazed that this is an amateur production.

Then again, that high standard has been the hallmark of every production Letterkenny Musical Society has put on stage over the years.

Under the direction of Newtown’s Maria Rushe, they welcome back a host of show veterans such as Donal Kavanagh, Sarah Terry, Nicola Shields, Aoife Farmer, Amy McClintock, Trish Carlin, Deigh Reid, Patrick Moore, Declan Nee and Jenny Yourell, alongside newcomers Maria Carlin, Mark J Bradley, Daniel McCafferty, Abby Hagan, Gui Marques and Billy Banda, for a show that is a masterclass in the best of humanity and is certain to prove a smash hit with audiences.

'Come from Away' is directed by Maria Rushe and produced by Noel O’Donnell with Strabane's Mark Bradley as musical director and Emmett Stewart, also from Strabane, as choreographer.

There are a few tickets still available - but if you haven’t booked yours yet, then do so quickly - because LMS shows sell out quickly and tickets won’t be around for long.

Tickets are available via: https://angrianan.com/