Write a commentA truly unique group of senior citizens from Newry are currently involved in one of the most talked about theatre events of 2014 and it just goes to show you really are never too old to Rock n Roll!
The group are starring in "The Last Dance" a New Musical that celebrates the golden age of the 1960’s, with its showbands and ballrooms.
The show premieres on the 14th of May at the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre.
The Last Dance is one of the most spectacular pieces of theatre ever to come out of Northern Ireland. What makes it even more spectacular is the fact that the entire cast is over 60 years of age. There are over 40 pensioners in the cast, proving you’re never too old to rock n roll!
The performers are all part of Newry Acting Up, a performing arts project especially for older people which is the brainchild of one of Northern Ireland most successful theatre companies, Kaleidoscope. The project is supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
The musical was conceived and created by the members of Newry Acting Up whose own memories of the dancehalls and showbands helped to provide the raw material for the script.
The show is set in the present day and tells the story of a small rural town in Ireland. When some of the older residents find out that their local ballroom – The Palace is to be demolished, long forgotten memories of dances and the romances begin to flow and when one local man decides to hold one last dance at The Palace the town and its residents get a new lease of life.
Kerry Rooney, Kaleidoscope’s Artistic Director and the show’s director told us, “This is one of the most exciting shows I’ve ever worked on. The cast are incredible, they are bursting with excitement and enthusiasm about telling this story. Their story. The Last Dance looks back at a really special time in the history of Northern Ireland when people were united by their love of music, when the showbands ruled and the ballrooms were the place to be. The music and the memories are just incredible. It’s really surprising that there has never been a musical about the showband era before now. What makes this show even more special is the fact that it’s been created by the people who lived through that era, the showband generation. It’s wonderful to be bringing so many great memories to life.”
The Last Dance will have its world premiere at the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre on Wednesday 14th May and will play an exclusive, must-end, run of just three performances. But don’t worry if you can’t get a ticket, the show will be returning later in the year with an extended run, and a tour. The group having already accepted a booking for the Waterfront Hall in October. There are even rumours of a West End transfer with a number of high profile Producers said to be interested in taking the show to London.
