Billie Barry Stage School News & Events

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News & Events

Billie Barry "Living Legend" Award. 2010
Congratulations to Billie Barry who was presented with the Variety Club of Ireland "Living Legend" Award at a celebratory concert staged in the National Concert Hall. The show was a phenomenal success and it was fantastic to see so many past and present students gathered together to honour the school's founder.
The show starred June Rodgers, Tony Kenny, Susan Mc Cann, Foster and Allen, Jacinta Whyte, Louise Bowden, Angeline Ball, Jimmy Bartley, Brenda Donoghue, Richie Hayes, Michael Grennell, Pat Farrell, Vicky Kenny, Dez Allen, Ciaran Connolly, Shane Creevey, Keith Hanna, Daryn Crosbie and featured the pupils of the Billie Barry Stage School.
Summer Theatre School - 2010
The Summer School commences on July 5th for three weeks.
The Summer School Showcase 2010 will take place on Friday 23rd July.
The performance willl be given in aid of the children's charity "To Russia with Love". Billie Barry and some especially invited guests will be in attendance.
Musicala 3 Concerts- Liberty Hall Theatre
Billie Barry Stage School Choir Concerts will be staged on the 29th and 30th October 2010. Details to follow.
Gaiety Theatre, Dublin – "Aladdin" - November 2010 - February 2011
The Billie Barry Kids make their 40th consecutive appearance in a Gaiety Theatre Pantomime. The Pantomime will feature 16 BBK'S. The show will be directed and choreographed by past pupil Daryn Crosbie.
The National Concert Hall - "Christmas Celebration" - 5th December 2010
Featuring 60 Billie Barry Kids
Exciting News
Gaiety Theatre, Dublin - November 2011
The Billie Barry Stage School will be showcasing the students of the Stage School in a spectacular production from the 31st October to 5th November 2011. Watch this space!!
Fair City - RTE
Three of our students are currently part of the regular cast of Fair City. Ryan O'Shaughnessy as Mark, Adam O'Toole as Owen and Simon O'Driscoll as Oisin
Congratulations
Christen Mooney
Congratulations to student Christen Mooney who has been cast in the role of "Aisling" in the new RTE comedy drama "Trivia" to be screened in Autumn 2010. Christen featured as the voice of Aisling in the animation film "Brendan and the Secret of Kells" which won Best Irish Film at the Jameson International Film Festival 2009 and received an Oscar nomination in 2010 in the Best Animated Film category. Christen can also be seen as Katie in the current Knorr Commercials.
Simon O'Driscoll
Congratulations to student Simon O'Driscoll who has been cast in the role of "Finbar" in the short film "Pentecost". The film is directed by Peter Mc Donald and cast by Hubbard Casting.
October Eleven Pictures "A Christmas Carol" 2010
Congratulations to students Katherine Browne,David Browne, Mark Jackson, Christen Mooney, Ben Gannon, Robyn Keogh and Ciara Maher who will feature in "A Christmas Carol"

October Eleven Pictures has always wanted to do some work for charity so came up with the idea of producing a feature film version of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' in order to help raise funds for Barretstown Hole in the Wall Camp for seriously ill children. They teamed up with Funding Raising Manager, Ruth Craig of Barretstown in early 2009 and spent the remainder of the year working hard on the preproduction. To date, the production team have shot over 95% of the movie and endeavour to get the final shoots completed in the coming weeks.

Producer Jonathan Figgis said "We approached Lorraine Barry of The Billie Barry Stage School as we were well aware of their excellent standard. We promptly set up auditions and saw many great young actors. In fact, we cast most of our child actors from the school. They have been a joy to work with; both professional and enthusiastic, they were very eager to put their all into their work and brought a great energy to the set. People who say never work with children have never worked with children from The Billie Barry Stage School! We hope to work with the children again in the future."

Jonathan added "We have garnered the support of leading actors such as Bryan Murray, Brendan O'Carroll, Lara Belmont and Laurence Foster and Brendan Grace who are supported by an excellent cast of Irish actors and invaluable support from Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, Chubb Ireland, Office of Public Works among others. We plan to screen the film in December 2010 and are also working on securing distribution with a major distributor."
Sinead Maguire
To student Sinead Maguire who played the role of "Molly" in Stephen Burke's debut feature film "Happy Ever Afters".

QUOTES ABOUT SINEAD MAGUIRE
  • SUNDAY STAR *** - ‘a brilliant debut from youngster Sinead Maguire that will see festive audiences chuckling into their popcorn … Maguire is a little star in the making’.
  • IRISH EXAMINER - *** ‘…an enjoyable gigglefest … Maguire shines in Happy Ever Afters … great playing by the two stars and a terrific contribution from young Maguire’.
  • RTE - *** ‘… excellent performances all round particularly from Sinead Maguire’
  • FILM IRELAND - ‘Sinead Maguire puts in her own terrific comic performance amidst all the irrationality and surely has a great future in front of her …..’
  • FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION *** - ‘ … it’s new girl Sinead Maguire as Maura’s daughter who stands out’.
  • VIEW (London.co.uk) ** - ‘young Sinead Maguire as Maura's wisecracking daughter Molly, who basically steals every scene she's in and out-acts most of the adults’.
  • BBC RADIO TIMES ** - ‘wide-eyed Sinead Maguire as her disbelieving daughter is a real find’.
  • EYE FOR FILM - *** It's the kid, played by Sinead Maguire, who is the real find here, solid and three dimensional and often the most charismatic person on screen. She provides a focal point at time when the adults are at their most difficult.
To student Jenna Staunton who has been cast as "Polly" in a new short film "Within Loneliness" by Kitty Leung.
Louise Bowden - "We Will Rock You" Dominion Theatre, London 2010
A huge congratulations to past pupil Louise Bowden who is currently starring in the lead role - Meat - in - We will Rock You - at the Dominion Theatre, West End, London. This follows on from her previous success as Mrs Banks in Mary Poppins UK tour, the role of the Ugly Sister in "Into the Woods" at Covent Garden, London and "Guys and Dolls" at the Piccadilly Theatre, West End, London.
Susan Mc Fadden - "Legally Blonde" Savoy Theatre, London 2010
Congratulations to past pupil Susan Mc Fadden who is currently starring as Serena in the musical "Legally Blonde" at the Savoy Theatre, London in December. We wish her the very best of luck. This follows on from Susans success as - Sandy - in "Grease" at the Piccadilly Theatre, London and Milly in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" UK tour.
Ciaran Connolly
Congratulations to Ciaran Connolly as his career goes from strength to strength. Ciaran has just featured in the Katherine Jenkins UK tour, The Nolan Sisters tour and Take That's The Circus. He appears in the new Cheryl Cole and Pixie Lott video's. Having completed Popstar Operastar he will now be performing in "Over the Rainbow" for the BBC. Ciaran returns to Ireland to choreograph the June Rodgers Show Christmas 2010.
Ruth Anne Cunningham
Congratulations to Ruth Anne who has just signed a new worldwide deal with Sony ATV. Recording Star Pixie Lott’s next single is one written by Ruth Anne called "Turn it Up". It's due for release on the 7th June all over Europe and it's also going to be her first USA release.
Ruth Anne is currently writing with Nadine Coyle of Girls Aloud for her solo album.
Ruth Anne released her CD single "Take me Away" in May 2008. She co-wrote Jojo's hit single "Too Little too late" it went from number 66 to number 3 on the Billboard hot 100 chart in just one week in America. It went on to be a worldwide smash in over 30 countries.
She has songs on 3 platinum selling albums in the US and in Europe and is officially Ireland's Youngest most Successful songwriter ever!
She was awarded with an ASCAP songwriters best pop award at the 24th annual ASCAP pop awards 2007 for "Too little too late". The ceremony was held in LA's Kodak Theatre.
Stephanie Delaney
Congratulations to student Stephanie Delaney who has joined the Girl Band "G2L" and are signed to LMJ Records. They have just completed a 36 date tour with Peter Andre.
London Studio Centre - London
Congratulations to student Emma O'Toole who has received a scholarship to attend The London Studio Centre in London to complete a three year musical theatre degree.
Red Cow Moran's Hotel Dec 2010 - Jan 2011
The June Rodgers Christmas Show will feature past pupils Shane Creevey, Dez Allen, Donna Bissett , Ruth Melody and will be directed and choreographed by past pupil Ciaran Connolly.