About Billie Barry Stage School
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Meet the school team
Billie Barry
Cherished Founder
Cherished Founder
Lorraine Barry
Director
Director
Peter Beckett
Musical Director
Musical Director
Louise Bowden
Teacher
Teacher
Robyn Hargadon
Teacher
Teacher
Billie Barry
Cherished Founder
Cherished Founder
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The roots of the Billie Barry School run deep. Billie’s was a theatrical family. Her father John Clarke-Barry had several orchestras and was a respected musician. Her mother was an amateur operatic singer. Billie Barry was a solo performer at the tender age of five. Later, in a close harmony act, “The Barry Sisters”, she toured extensively in Ireland and the U.K. and broadcast regularly for the BBC and Irish radio.
She then travelled to the Empire Theatre, Belfast, with Noel Purcell’s show “Anything May Happen” and remained there for many years as a singer, dancer and choreographer with Gerald Morrison’s famous production “Come To The Show”. Backed by such a wealth of experience, The Billie Barry Stage School was founded in 1964.The school had a mere 36 students on its first day but Billie’s professionalism was obvious even then. From the onset a broad range of dance singing and Stage- craft was taught, with the aim of producing well-rounded professional theatre practitioners. Such an approach is impressive even today, when a lack of discipline and ignorance of theatre protocol are still cited by directors and choreographers as causes for talented performers losing out in the jobs market. Within six months of its foundation, the school had students appearing on television in the children’s show Saoirse agus Bartley. Not long after, Billie won an audition for the pantomime at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, beginning a tradition of over 40 years that is still running today. Subsequently, the Billie Barry Stage School was given a coveted appearance on the Late Late Show, which gave the school and the pupil’s wide exposure all across the country. Billie retired in 1999 and the reins were handed over to her talented daughter, Lorraine, who knows every aspect of the business. The school has continued to prosper beyond her wildest dreams. Billie was always a welcome visitor to the school on Parents’ days, enrolment days, or just simply to chat with, advise and encourage the students. In 2010 Billie Barry was honoured 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. This was followed on by an invitation to dinner from President Mary Mc Aleese to celebrate Billie’s life achievements. Sadly on the 30th September, 2014 Billie Barry passed away leaving everyone at the stage school broken-hearted. Billie’s hope was that the students of the school would take with them a treasure trove of happy memories that would remain with them for the rest of their lives. Billie Barry sprinkled some glitter into the lives of generations of children. Billie Barry will live on in all of our hearts. Billie Barry’s legacy will long outlive her, and that is something that one can only hope to achieve in life. Few do… |
Lorraine Barry
Director
Director
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Proud to be born into the famous theatrical Barry family, Lorraine began her days at the Billie Barry Stage School at the age of 3. She had the most wonderful childhood as she experienced first-hand the strength, creativity and passion with which her mum, Billie Barry, developed the school. The weekly theatrical performances, TV appearances, Gaiety Pantomimes, Summer Seasons and the ever cherished classes were the foundation of the career she would later pursue.
Lorraine progressed to appear as a professional dancer on stage, cabaret, TV and in film. With an inherited passion for theatre, music and a love of nurturing children, Lorraine turned her talents to teaching and from 1983 began working alongside her mum. She became principal choreographer and was responsible for so many of the Billie Barry Kids Late Late Toy Show and highly acclaimed Fashion Awards appearances. With the stage school’s further development in mind, Lorraine introduced the highly successful Summer Theatre School in 1987. It has become a long standing tradition and it’s talent showcase staged on the final day is awaited with excitement by students and parents alike. In 1999 Billie Barry announced her retirement after 35 wonderful years dedicated to the stage school. With pride, she passed the reins to Lorraine, who she knew would continue to run the school with the same standard of excellence and preserve the renowned ethos. Lorraine became the sole director and with her at the helm the school continues to flourish. Lorraine would look forward to the end of term Parent’s Days, the Summer School Showcase day and indeed the Billie Barry Shows at the Gaiety where Billie Barry would sit and watch with pride. Because of her mum’s love of music and harmony, in 2001 Lorraine added a new dimension to the school with the introduction of the Choirs run by the School’s Musical Director, Peter Beckett. Since their sell out debut production at the Liberty Hall Theatre in 2004, they have continued to enjoy their success with further concerts at the Liberty Hall Theatre, the Clasac, the National Concert Hall and the Mahony Concert Hall at The Helix, DCU. Lorraine has been solely responsible for the Billie Barry Stage School’s productions “The Millenium Beat”, “Dance Everybody Dance”, “Rhythm in Our Shoes”, “Moving Right Along” and “Time of Our Lives”, all staged at the Gaiety Theatre. 2014 heralded the 50th Anniversary of the Billie Barry Stage School. For that occasion Lorraine created, choreographed, directed and produced “Gold” , an enormous production that featured all of the school’s students, special guest June Rodgers and past pupils Ryan O’Shaughnessy , Keith Hanna and Ruth Melody. Sadly on the 30th September 2014 the school’s founder Billie Barry passed away and the 50th anniversary show became a tribute to be staged in her honour. Continuing on from that, Lorraine produced, directed and choreographed “Her Stars Will Shine” at the Gaiety Theatre, again featuring all the school's students. These shows were a phenomenal success and received unprecedented acclaim for their sell-out run. There were nightly standing ovations and a shower of accolades from all who saw them. A testament to the legendary Billie Barry. The Billie Barry Kids are in constant demand and Lorraine is always kept busy devising and creating new works for performance. They feature annually in The Gaiety Theatre Panto, in concerts at the NCH and regularly at corporate events and in various professional productions in Dublin's most prestigious theatres. In addition to her many creative and administrative duties with the School, Lorraine also oversees the agency which books the Billie Barry Kids for appearances and performances in commercials, radio voiceovers, movie castings, press launches etc. |
Peter Beckett
Musical Director
Musical Director
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Peter’s involvement with the Billie Barry Stage School began over 25 years ago with the annual Summer School which is held every July. From 1996 he has been the Musical Director for the very successful variety shows performed every three years in the Gaiety Theatre. He has arranged the vocals and orchestrated the songs in these shows and has also composed several of them as well. He has also arranged and composed songs for the many Christmas concerts held in the RDS and the NCH with which the school has been involved every year.
The introduction of the choirs in 2001 gave the school an extra musical dimension and the children’s singing talents are continuously being developed in classes throughout the year. The choirs have performed the very successful ‘Musicala’ concerts staged in Liberty Hall, the Clasac Theatre and now the Mahony Hall in the Helix for 2019. Peter has enjoyed a long association with the Gaiety Theatre as Musical Director for its annual pantomime, where his arranging and compositional skills have been brought to the fore. The production of Aladdin in 2019 will be his twenty-fourth year with the theatre. Peter was Musical Director with the Guinness Musical Society for sixteen years until its closure and enjoyed many successes both in AIMS and the Waterford Light Opera Festival. Shows include the Irish Premiere of Evita, Cabaret, New Pirates of Penzance, L’il Abner, On Your Toes, 42nd Street, Barnum, Singing in the Rain, Crazy for You, Mack & Mabel and Jesus Christ Superstar. Musicals with other societies include Pippin, Chicago, Billy, Best Little Whorehouse, Grease, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Our House. Peter left a permanent job as a draughtsman in 1979 to pursue a professional career in music which began by playing guitar with Johnny Logan, then with Dickie Rock, Red Hurley and many other well renowned artists. As a composer, his original songs were regularly in the finals of song contests around the country and his song Once Again appeared in Eurosong ’96 which he also arranged for the RTE Concert Orchestra. Many years spent as Musical Director for both John Player Tops shows and variety shows for Aer Lingus further honed his craft as an arranger and composer. Over 20 years he appeared in no less than five live televised National Finals, winning outright on two occasions. Outside of theatre work, Peter continues to work regularly both as a freelance musician playing keyboards and guitar, and as a record producer. Amongst his work he has arranged and co-produced two albums and a single for Eleanor McEvoy and two albums for George Hunter. He has kept abreast of the continual changes in music technology, as this has become an integral part of his work. In 2009 he mentored the ‘Blow the Dust Off Your Trumpet’ orchestra in the NCH. This project was the subject of the RTE documentary Coming Of Age, which culminated in the concert itself, arranged and conducted by Peter as part of the Bealtaine Festival in 2010. In 2018 Peter produced a musical of his own original compositions. The all-singing, all-dancing SCAM The Musical with a cast of twenty-one ran for five nights in the Civic Theatre to much critical acclaim. He is currently working on music for two plays. |
Louise Bowden
Teacher
Teacher
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Louise began her dance training in ballet school at 4 years of age. At the tender age of 9 she began her career when she was picked from thousands of young hopefuls to dance alongside famous ballet star Rudolf Nureyev and the Cleveland San Jose Ballet Company in “Coppelia”, at the venue that is now known as the 3 Arena Dublin.
That same year, after seeing a Billie Barry show at the Gaiety Theatre, she joined the renowned school and went on to train under Billie Barry and Lorraine for many years. As a BBK she performed in numerous Gaiety Pantomines and productions at the Olympia and the National Concert Hall. Louise started her professional career touring the USA for many years as lead vocalist and soloist with Celtic show Jury’s Irish Caberet, playing massive venues such as the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and The John Hancock in Boston. The bright lights of big West End shows in London beckoned when Louise auditioned for the hit musical Mamma Mia and go the part of Ali. She went on to spend over 10 years forging a hugely successful career as a leading lady in Musical Theatre in London's West End. Louise is thrilled and honoured to now be passing on her knowledge and skills to all the students as teacher, choreographer and creative at the Billie Barry Stage School. Recent theatre credits include: JUDY | Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS | Dominion Theatre, London|Director: David Morgan KATHY SELDEN | Jonathan Church’s production of SINGIN”IN THE RAIN | Palace Theatre, London MARISA | WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN | London Workshop SUZY | SLEEPLESS | London Workshop |Directed by David Morgan BRIDGET | Timothy Sheaders production of RAGTIME | Regents Park Open Air Theatre London PHILOSTRATE | Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM | Regents Park Open Air Theatre London MEAT | Ben Elton’s WE WILL ROCK YOU | Dominion Theatre, London |Director: Ben Elton MRS BANKS | Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS |UK National tour | Director: Sir Richard Eyre FLORINDA | Stephen Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS | Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House & Lowry Theatre | Director: Will Tuckett HOT BOX GIRL (Cover Sarah & Adelaide) | GUYS AND DOLLS | Donmar Warehouse, Piccadilly Theatre | Director: Michael Grandage ALI & SOPHIE | Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ MAMMA MIA! | International tour | Director: Phyllida Lloyd MOLLY | ON EAGLE’S EAGLE WING | Odyssey Arena, Belfast | Director: Ian McElhinney |
Robyn Hargadon
Teacher
Teacher
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Robyn began her training at the Billie Barry Stage School age 3. She performed as a BBK in many theatres across Dublin including annual Gaiety pantomimes, productions at the National Concert Hall, Liberty Hall Theatre and the 3 Arena.
Robyn had her very first violin lesson at age 4 with her then teacher, the wonderful Joan Miley. She continued her musical studies to an advanced level in violin, viola, theory and harmony with teachers Liz Csibi and Jean Archibold. She was a member of Royal Irish Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, performing regularly at the National Concert Hall and other venues around Ireland. Robyn spent her childhood watching her Nana and Mum teaching hundreds of children which instilled in her, her own desire to teach. She graduated from St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, in 2013 with a Bachelor of Education and is now a Primary School teacher at St. Cronans J.N.S. Swords. Combining her stage school training, her musical talents and her education degree, Robyn is now a very valued teacher at the Billie Barry Stage School and a great role model and confidant to the students. Robyn is very proud of her close connection with the school and of the continued incredible work her Mum does in tribute to Billie Barry. |