Two young Mitchelstown lads, both having already tasted the heat of the spotlight and the satisfaction of audience appreciation, are keenly looking forward to the opening night of 'Oliver' with the local musical society here in their own home town. 12 year old Jack Fitzgerald and 15 year old Eamonn Walsh can't wait for opening night.

Jack, who had a mammoth run of 25 performances on the Everyman stage in Cork when he played The Giant in 'Jack & The Beanstalk' over the Christmas period, is thrilled to be playing the title role in 'Oliver'.

"I love the part and it's great fun being with all the others in the show," Jack, a 6th class student in Ballygiblin NS, told The Avondhu this week.

Jack, who started as a shy 3 year old with Michael Dennehy's Young Drama Group, has been with CADA acting and dancing for the past 3 years and also has taken part in Feis Maitiu, singing. Jack says he really loves musical theatre.

"I played Chip in 'Beauty & The Beast' here in Mitchelstown and I was also in 'The Wizard Of Oz'. I am going on to Grade 3 in piano and I also play guitar a bit," he said, adding that he would love to pursue a career in musical theatre. Jack was full of praise for his music teacher, Claire Frewen as well as his singing teacher in CADA, Pavela Moore.

EAMONN

Eamonn, who is presently doing his pre-Leaving at CBS Mitchelstown, says he is concentrating a lot on his singing and music.

"I'll be competing at Feis Maitiu on piano the day after 'Oliver' finishes, so that's going to be hard," the Kilshanna Music student says, addding that he is also doing his grades in singing under his singing teacher, Hilary Reynolds.

Last year, Eamonn played the part of Teen Angel in the CBS production of 'Greased Lightning'. This was his first musical. He really enjoyed it and is thrilled to be playing the Artful Dodger in 'Oliver'. Stressing that he likes to sing 'all kinds of music', Eamonn has already graced the stage with Cara O'Sullivan at a concert in St Mary's Church, Pope's Quay, Cork; he has performed with Frank McNamara in The Firgrove Hotel, with Voce di Donna in Kilworth and with the Bel Canto Choir on a number of occasions.

Being an 'in-demand boy soprano', he also recorded with the Bel Canto and has a 5-track CD to his credit which he recorded in 2012. But that was before his voice broke. "When that happened, I had to rest my voice for a while and I am now in the tenor range," he said.

Proving that he likes all kinds of music, Eamonn is a regular participant at open mic events and he can be seen on Youtube where he has attracted hundreds of hits, singing the Hudson Taylor hit 'Chasing Rubies'.

Asked if he would like to pursue a career in classical singing or perhaps in musical theatre, Eamonn says he would just prefer to study music 'in general'.

Both Eamonn and Jack couldn't say enough good things about Kevin McCormack, the producer of 'Oliver'. "He is great to work with and is always encouraging," they both agreed.

'Oliver' opens at the CBS auditorium on Tuesday night next and while tickets have been selling very fast (most nights booked out), there are still some tickets left for sale at Hyland's Bookshop (025-24528).

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