Oh! Carol

Devised and written by Syd Ralph and Mark Dougherty

with songs by Neil Sedaka

Directed by Syd Ralph
Musical Director
Mark Dougherty

Queen's Film Theatre
Queen's University Belfast

21st July - 2nd August
Perfs 1st August 8pm & 2nd August 2pm

'I am a song and I've waited so long for someone to come and sing me.

I've got a rhyme that I've had for some time, nobody wants to sing me

I got sunshine, I got a message to shout,

Sing me, Sing me,

Won't someone please let me out!'

'Oh! Carol' features the songs and music of Neil Sedaka whose first great hit was in 1959 and is still a prolific writer today.

Inspired by the huge repertoire of Sedaka's songs, our production follows the rehearsal period and tour of the new stage show, 'Oh! Carol'.

With Sedaka’s great songs, including 'Calendar Girl', 'Breaking Up Is Hard to Do', 'Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen' and 'Oh! Carol', high powered dance routines and feisty dialogue the show traces the emotional journeys of the director, cast and crew as they work together over a four month period.

Devised and written by director Syd Ralph and musical director Mark Dougherty, with choreography by award winning Debbie Maguire, this will be a high energy, rock 'n' roll show!

The preparations for the stage show take place in the present, while the action on stage is set in the 1960s. Two shows, two different styles, two sets of characters! A real challenge for the whole company.

songs by kind permission of Neil Sedaka Music

SPONSORS:

Arts Council Northern Ireland

Additional Thanks to:
Cookstown District Council, Queen's Film Theatre, Production Services Ireland, The Production House, Queen's Film Theatre, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, The BOC Group, Really Useful Group Limited, Excellence in Cities: Manchester.

THE COMPANY

Cast:

Matthew Bawden, Amy Blackshaw, Libby Rose Bottomley, Rebecca Browett, Ciaran Butler, Hayley Cameron, Merin Cox-Davies, Ihintza Doyle Robles, Jade Egan, Kristen Evans, Glen Facey, James Fox, Rachel Furner, Jonathan Gale, Sarah Louise Heaney, Kathryn Ann Jones, Laura Kane, Jamil Keating, Rebecca Lee, Alexandra Lloyd Hamilton, Ruaidhri Maguire, Julie McGovern, Jack McGuire, Christopher McKelvey, Mikey McLean, Albert Mercer, Charlotte Oldham, Francesca Peplow, Lauren Power, Charlotte Rowlands, Emma Rushworth, Harriet Scott-Delany, Alice Smith, Samuel Smith, Becky Taitt, Jessica Taylor, Sophie Wake, Rachael Walsh, Toby Wilson, Rachel Wyness.

Musicians:

Brian Rice, Johnny Scott, Nick Scott, Wilson Shields.

STAFF:

Director: Syd Ralph
Musical Director: Mark Dougherty
Choreographer: Deborah Maguire
Assitant Designer: Hannah Strange
Stage Manager: Tracy Muldoon

PASTORAL STAFF AND ARRANGEMENTS

Head Chaperone: Rachel McCabe

Chaperones: Kerri-Ann Cowen, Anne Gilmore, Stephen Kearney

Contact phone number: 07948 544 840 (This phone number will be available from 13th July)

Rehearsal venue and dates:

Venue: Methodist College

Address: 1 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 6BY

Dates and times: 21st July - 2nd August 2007. Performances 1st August 8pm and 2nd August 2pm
Registration from 1pm on 21st July
Departure time will be 4pm on 2nd August

Other important information:

Travel Information:

Belfast International Airport – Methodist College, Belfast

An Airbus service operates between the International airport and Belfast City Centre every 20 minutes, at peak times Monday to Friday, every 30 minutes on a Saturday and at 30 or 60 minute intervals on a Sunday. This service operates between 0535 hrs and 2320 hrs.

From the International Airport the bus will set down passengers by request at several stops, but you will want to stay on the bus until Glengall Street Bus Station (otherwise known as the Europa Bus Centre). On your return journey, this is also where you should board the bus.

Belfast City centre is just 25 minutes away from the airport. If you are travelling alone, we would recommend that you use the Airbus service. It costs £6 for a single and £9 return. For further information about this bus service, please contact Translink on +44 (0) 28 9066 6630

Once you arrive at the Europa Bus Centre, exit the station at either the side or front of the building. Several taxi ranks operate from here. It is a short taxi ride to Methodist College , 1 Malone Road, Belfast . If you have any difficulties getting a taxi, you can call Fonacab on 02890 333333 or Valuecabs on 02890 809080.

Alternatively, if you are travelling as a group you may find it easier to take a taxi from the International Airport to Methodist College , this costs approx £25.00 in total.

George Best Belfast City Airport – Methodist College, Belfast

An Airbus service operates between Belfast City Airport and Belfast City Centre every 20 minutes. This service operates between 06.00 hrs and 22.00 hrs from Mon – Sat and 07.30hrs to 21.50hrs on a Sunday.

From Belfast City Airport the bus will set down passengers at Belfast Central Station, Belfast City Hall and the Europa Bus Centre.

If you would prefer to get a bus to Methodist College, you should get off the Airbus at Belfast City Hall. From here you can catch the 8A or 8B service and ask the driver to leave you off at Methodist College.

Alternatively, get off the Airbus at the Europa Bus Centre (otherwise known as Glengall Street).

From here you can get a taxi from either the side exit or the front of the building. It is a short taxi ride to Methodist College , 1 Malone Road, Belfast . If you have any difficulties getting a taxi, you can call Fonacab on 02890 333333 or Valuecabs on 02890 809080. On your return journey to the airport, this is also where you should board the bus.

Alternatively, if you are travelling as a group you may find it easier to take a taxi from the Belfast City Airport to Methodist College , this costs approx £10.00 in total.