High Note with hit Musical: Lucan CC Drama Group Director retires

AOn April 25, 26 and 27, the Lucan Community College Drama Group dazzled audiences with their rendition of the musical drama ‘Our Day Out’ featuring students and teachers, reports Avery Lin.

During the three sold-out performances, “many hidden talents were revealed, much to the surprise and amazement of the audience,” the college reports. The music was produced by the skilled school band.

The show struck a bittersweet chord as the last production of Director Mr John M. O’Connor before his retirement at the end of the school year, who called it “a wonderful high note to finish on”.

A teacher as well as patron of the Arts, O’Connor was involved with nearly 20 shows with Lucan CC ranging from school musicals to dramas, including the 2019 performance of John B. Keane’s ‘The Field’ also with teachers.

In a full-circle milestone, ‘Our Day Out’ was performed in 2001 as the college’s first teacher and student production.

Adapted from the 1977 TV-play episode of the same name, Willy Russell’s 1983 work has since been specially-edited for schools’ use.

Both poignant and funny, the drama follows disadvantaged Liverpool school-children over the course of an eventful day outing with their teachers. While capturing the joys and pains of maturing, the authentic and moving piece contends with the sobering reality of the adversity of the children’s circumstances.

Echoing current events, the production took place during an eventful month that saw the Transition Years’ trip to Carlingford Adventure Centre, the Second Years’ trip to Barcelona, and the Fifth Years’ trip to Italy.

The spirit of social awareness was also recently evoked when a second-year student coordinated a collection for a ‘hygiene bank’ supporting people facing hygiene poverty.

Overall, the production’s “roaring success” reflected the outstanding hard work and devotion of the students, staff and musicians over the five months of rehearsals.

Lucan Community College wishes Mr. O’Connor “every success as he embarks on the great adventure of his retirement – which will no doubt be spent dabbling in the Arts”.

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