A Christmas Carol
16th December 2019
This year’s TY Show in Killina was an adaptation of a festive favourite, Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. The role of Ebenezer Scrooge was played by Adrian Costello, who illustrated the many sides of one of the most famous characters in literature. He did not disappoint his audience with his greedy, grumpy, uncaring portrayal of the miserly banker. Costello equally demonstrated the reformed, generous, considerate, excitable, energetic character in the final act. It is well known that Scrooge was visited by four ghosts; Jacob Marley (Ronan Fulton), Spirit of Christmas Past (Teni Shittu), Spirit of Christmas Present (Adam Tyrell) and Spirit of Christmas Future (Neil Minnock); each warning him of the need to change his ways. The young actors playing the ghosts had strong stage presence and distinctively eerie tones to their voices that enhanced the delivery of their lines.
The storyline was enriched by the beautiful and powerful soloist vocals of Caitlin Minnock singing ‘O Holy Night’ as Mrs. Cratchit and Sarah Lee singing ‘Winter Song’ as Belle. Both Mrs. Cratchit and Belle were supported in their scenes by Bob Cratchit (Dara Rosney) and Young Scrooge (Sean D’Arcy). In these scenes the dynamic duos delivered impressive performances in the tender, heart-warming moments of the show. The warm, jovial character of Fred(Peter Reynolds), Scrooge’s nephew provided much needed lightheartedness and comedy.
There was a fantastic chorus of dancers bringing the stage to life for the Marley scene dance and the Fezziwig party dance. The choir sang the familiar Christmas songs ‘Silent Night’, ‘Deck the Halls’, ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ and many more. The choir also had two soloists; Lauren Leonard singing ‘I’ll be Home for Christmas’ and Naomi Tolbert singing ‘The Christmas Song’.
Killina’s Fourth Years opened the show with a wonderful dance routine to George Ezra’s, ‘Pretty Shining People’. They were joined onstage by a number of Transition Year students. Everyone dressed up in Christmas jumpers setting the mood for the performance that followed.
All in all, it was a wonderful night’s entertainment, and thanks to all the cast, the choir, the backstage crew, and to teachers Ms Kavanagh and Ms Cantwell for arranging a fantastic production.
