Young Galwegians to perform in Cats in Birmingham

By Kernan Andrews

Twenty young Galwegians are going to London to perform in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s celebrated musical Cats in Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena this Sunday.

Stagecoach Clare and Galway are bringing 27 children to perform in Cats. They will be part of a cast that includes 3,000 children and teenagers from around the world to perform in the 12,000 seater arena.

The Galway students performing in the musical as part of the choir will sing ‘Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats’ at the opening, ‘Journey to the Heavyside Layer’ at the finale, as well as ‘The Addressing of Cats’.

The Galway students, who range in ages from six to 15, are: AJ and Riley Sheehy (Ballybrit); Ava, Nicole, Zoe, and Jade Sweeney (Corrandulla); Aurora Higgins (Craughwell); Grace Webb (Oughterard); Grace Glynn (Renmore); Sasha Farell (Tuam); Ciara and Laoise King (Knocknacarra); Emma Hogan (Roscahill); Aimee Banks (Moycullen); Clara Totman (Claregalway); Katie Keane-Ruane (Castlegar); Leora Morahan (Clifden); Chloe Mannion (Furbo), Dara Mooney and Lisa Colesky (Galway city).

There is also a worldwide virtual choir, which is video pre-recorded and will be beamed around the arena in the middle of the show. The choir features Stagecoach children, including Niamh Maguire, while Aimee Banks from Moycullen will sing live in the choir on the day and is also part of the Virtual Worldwide Choir.

Stagecoach Theatre Arts, a part-time theatre school network, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an epic performance of this much loved musical.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that so many young people will be able to take part in this very special performance of Cats,” said Andrew Lloyd Webber said. “Happy 25th Birthday Stagecoach and thank you for giving your students the opportunity to perform the show in such a spectacular way.”