I've been hearing a great deal about The Ha'penny Bridge musical for some time now. Indeed it has been advertisied in the national press for a number of months. My apetite was well and truly whetted, and last night satisfied as I attended the gala opening.
After a week long run in the Cork Opera House, the cast of The Ha'penny Bridge were in top form for last nights performance, which was attended by many familiar faces - you could say it was a who's who. The tag line for the show reads: 'A love torn apart in a country divided', and that's certainly what it is.
The central characters are the Cassidy family, and we see their up's and down's during the civil war in 1922. There's plenty of laughter, and a little sadness, in this tour de forceof Irish creativity. It's one musical that doesn't pander to the audience with patronising glee and I'm sure it will be a big success in the U.S. for creator Alastair McGuckian.
Terrific performances by Eileen Reid (Maggy), Annalene Beechey (Molly), Stephen Ashfield (George), John Conroy (Peadar), Flo McSweeney (Anna), Mark Lambert (Whippet) as well as a tremendous supporting cast, meant for a truly enjoyable show - the first big Irish musical ever, if I'm not mistaken.
Well known faces at the performance and after party included guest of honour H.E. President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr. Martin McAleese with daughter Emma; The British Ambassador, H.E. Stuart Eldon and Mrs. Christine Eldon; broadcasters John Bowman and Ian Dempsey; TV personalities Marty Whelan and Martin King; Senator Fergal Quinn and writers Marisa Mackle and Seamus Heaney
The arts world was well represented with Ava Astaire, daughter of Fred; George McMahon and many colleagues from Fair City; Jamie Belton and stunning girlfriend Carol Anthony; singers Hazel Kaneswaren and Chris Doran (not together though, despite their single status). Acclaimed artists Louis LeBroquy and Anne Madden were also present, as were Maxi and Linda Martin, looking glamourous as always.
The Ha'penny Bridge runs for a limited period at The Point and is well worth seeing.
