Creative Team
Peter Kennedy – Director & Choreographer
Billy Cairns – Musical Director
Joanne Laverty – Assistant Choreographer

Cast
Carrie Pipperidge – Siobhán Mullin
Julie Jordan – Mairead Healy
Mrs Mullin – Winnie Briggs
Billy Bigelow – Gerry McBrien
1st Policeman – Michael Blair
David Bascombe – Frederick Green
Nettie Fowler – Margaret Smyth
Enoch Snow – Glenn Branney
Jigger Craigin – John McGrillen
Arminy – Mairead Weir
2nd Policeman – Richard Lavery
Captain – Seamus Boyle
Heavenly Friend – Paul Kelly
Starkeeper – Ernest Huntley
Louise – Elizabeth Harding
Carnival Boy – Noel Heaney
Enoch Snow Jnr – Glen Wallace
Principal – Kevin McKeague
Doctor Seldon – Ernest Huntley

Urchins – Joanne Corrigan, Jenny Fleming, Bronagh McKeown

Snow Children – Oonagh Blair, Maeve Corrigan, Emma Cush, Timothy Cush, Aisling Fleming, Rebecca Fleming, Eoin McComb, David McComb, Claire McErlean

Dancers – Oonagh Blair, Judith Clarke, Elizabeth Harding, Claire Hill, Victoria Hughes, Joanne Laverty, Siobhan McQuaid, Deirdre Tunney, Mairead Weir

The following review our production of Carousel appeared in the local press in 1996:

The Arts Theatre in Belfast is this week playing host to a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s spectacular musical Carousel. Although premiered in 1945, this show has many current references to offer today’s audience, an aspect emphasised by Peter Kennedy’s interesting direction.

I suppose it is almost commonplace in the West End that a set is a moving piece of technical wizardry which plays an intricate part in musicals, but the amateur movement has not fully grasped its potential until now.

The concept of a tree falling in this show no doubt reflects the contemporary worry about the long-term effects of the great storm of 1987. Similarly, Nettie Fowler, superbly played here by Margaret Smyth gives a timely warning to us all to clean up after ourselves if this planet is to survive. Who says these shows are dated?

The lead roles of Billy and Julie were nicely portrayed by Gerry McBrien, who is singing better than ever, and Mairead Healy, of whom we will see more in the future. Glenn Branney making his debut makes an excellent job of sending up the stuffy Enoch Snow while still being young enough for it to be plausible that Carrie will fall for him (too often this role is given to an older man totally unsuited to the role).

Throughout the show, it is evident that the chorus has been trained by that genius of music Billy Cairns, who conducts an orchestra who should be paid danger money for the tree stunt.

Minor roles like the Heavenly Friend of Paul Kelly glitter, not so much by his talented portrayal as his sparkling shoes which outshine that other great veteran of the stage, Ernie Huntley.

Mairead Weir contributes considerably and must soon be worthy of singing a wee role of her own. Deirdre Tunney smiles all the way through as if someone significant is watching, Siobhan McQuaid and Judith Clarke looked wonderful as harem girls.

Choreography was handled competently without resort to rent-a-dancer so often seen on the amateur circuit. Elizabeth Harding covered particularly well for her undersized Carnival Boy.

If one thing detracted from the overall effect of the show, it was the typecasting of Ernest Huntley as Starmaker.

The show runs until Saturday and is recommended if only to enjoy the gloriously understated acting of Michael Blair.

Imogen Fitznothing