– Concert features music and actors on film

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Girish Paul will perform the All-Ireland Premiere of his new orchestral album entitled ‘The Diary of Anne Frank – Her Journey in Music’ at a red carpet event at Fermoy’s Palace Theatre on Saturday, 15th April at 8pm.

Girish single-handedly performs the heart-warming music score from start to finish with several instruments backed up by his famous virtual orchestra that creates a stunning backdrop to the Story of Anne Frank between 1942 and 1944, supported throughout by stunning on-screen re-enactments by esteemed Irish actors who were filmed to heighten the dramatic experience for the audience.

Says Girish: “I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to perform our new concert as an All-Ireland premiere in Fermoy and I wish to thank manager Kieran Barry and the staff at the Palace Theatre for hosting the special for one-night only event.”

Q & A BY THE COMPOSER WHY ANNE FRANK?

“Way back in 1991 working as a teacher in the Middle East, my students and I found ourselves under missile attack as Operation Desert Storm kicked off around us, the largest military conflict since World War Two. We were all fearful with thoughts of never seeing our loved one’s back home again, but I was determined to ensure that my students got on with the job of learning and discovering in spite of the Gulf War raging around us and I looked for words of inspiration that would calm my students and give them hope in frightful circumstances.

“I found those words of inspiration in Anne Frank’s Diary and knew that someday I would bring to life through music, the dreams, compassion, resilience and words of hope of the thirteen year old schoolgirl who has inspired millions. Finally in 2022, as war once again returned to Europe for the first time since the end of World War Two, I was able, together with Producer and Executive Producer Carmel Barrett to create an exciting concert experience that brings Anne’s story and her message of hope to the world.”

Girish adds: “Carmel and I were absolutely thrilled to have received a letter wishing us much luck from the Agency in Hollywood, Los Angeles representing Director Steven Spielberg (Jaws, ET, Schindler’s List), and we shall certainly send Steven a personal invitation to our Edinburgh Festival performance in August.”

WHAT CAN AUDIENCES EXPECT TO SEE AND HEAR?

“In spite of the harrowing circumstances, Anne Frank enjoyed many happy moments in secret hiding, and music lovers will be treated to a unique audio-visual experience that depicts stages in Anne’s life, from happy days at school in Frankfurt to living in secret hiding in Amsterdam from 1942 to 1944, her dreams, passions, growth, conflicts and innermost feelings.

“Several live instruments will be performed on the night aided by studio quality recordings of my virtual orchestra that will be synchronised to evocative images and video up on screen which will transport the audience through to a bygone age. Throughout the concert, the screen will light up with filmed performances by distinguished Irish actors, including Sean Ahern, Mary Gallahue, Liam Howard and Christine Murphy, and the highly talented young actors Clodagh Foster, Eliana Moroney, Nora-Kate Mercier and Sean Cosgrove from Cork’s Montfort College of Performing Arts.

“Directing these wonderful performers was a true delight and audiences will be introduced to these fine actors in person on stage at this very special red carpet premiere evening during the interval.”

WHAT FUTURE PLANS HAVE YOU FOR THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK HER JOURNEY IN MUSIC?

“We’re planning to perform the show at the world famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in Liverpool in August 2023, following which we intend to tour the show throughout the counties of Ireland in 2024.”

HOW CAN TICKETS BE ACQUIRED?

Tickets can be purchased and printed online from: www.Gr8events.ie and folk can choose the location of their seats through the website. A small number of tickets are also available at the box office of Fermoy Youth Centre.

Make sure and note the date – Saturday, 15th April at 8pm. Doors open 7.30pm. Please Note: The concert visuals contain some flash photography.