The Performance Academy "Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance"

The Performance Academy staged the 5th Annual end of year shows, “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance” on June 17th and 18th in Ballinagh Hall once again to rave reviews from their three sold out shows’ audiences. Over the weekend, almost 1100 people packed into the hall for their three performances, which like previous years was turned into a theatre of dreams for the almost 400 students involved.

As always, the shows featured songs and dance routines from numerous musicals including Wicked and Les Miserables. Motown music and dance was a feature and had the audience clapping along. The Tots class are always going to be a crowd pleaser and this year was no exception as they sang songs like “When You’re Smiling” and “Mouse In A Windmill”. A new addition to the show this year was the choir and they gave a superb performance of “At The End Of The Day” from Les Miserables that would be fit for any West End or Broadway stage. Throughout the show Tap dancing featured from the beginner’s class and the advanced class and the effort put in by each student was fantastic.

The second half of the show was dedicated to ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ style routines. There was a real carnival atmosphere throughout with Gloria Estefan’s music a feature. Backdrop screens helped provide images of the scenes that were being portrayed. To add to the carnival theme, a Chinese dragon was marched up through the crowd to the amazement of the audience. As usual the lighting and sound was second to none and you would think you were at a show in Dublin, London or New York.

Each year the boys surprise us with their talents and this year they sang and danced to the Proclaimers ‘500 miles’ donning their Cavan jerseys and kilts to add to the enjoyment. Throughout the show there were a number of soloists featured. Allanah Donohoe paid tribute to Prince singing ‘Purple Rain’, Brid Marie Byrne from Donegal paid tribute to 1916 Centenary singing ‘Grace’ and Caoimhe McSorley gave a monologue which was an extract from a piece she worked on herself. Once again, this years’ shows proved to be a huge success and a testament to the students who gave their all from beginning to end.

The MC for all shows was RTE’s Shay Byrne and chatted with the crowd in between scenes, throwing in the odd joke here and there to the crowd’s delight. Also, singer Tony Kenny entertained the crowd with some show tunes featuring a medley from West Side Story and his hit from year’s back ‘Any Dream Will Do’ from the musical Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which he had the lead role.

Joan Barry Kenny and her daughter Vicky, who run the Performance Academy, produced once again, a spectacular and magical show. Everything was performed with such professionalism and the students didn’t disappoint when it came to precision on stage. Another year over and another 3 shows performed to perfection, the audience which included family and friends of the students left Ballinagh Hall full of pride and joy and already looking forward to next year.

The past year has been very special for the Performance Academy having been given the opportunity to perform on the Late Late Toy Show back in December 2015. They were chosen from 100’s of children around the country and it was a great tribute to the students, Joan and Vicky for their hard work throughout the year. Only recently the Performance Academy were invited to perform at the Taste of Cavan and were delighted to show the people of Cavan and further afield their talents.

Joan and Vicky would like to thank all who helped with making the shows a success from the parents, the chaperones, car park attendants to Martin Gaffney and Ballinagh Community Centre. All those who helped transform the venue on and off stage. Finally, the students themselves who again, put in the hard work to make the shows a huge success.

Enrolment Day for the Performance Academy’s new term takes place on Sat 27th August (12noon to 4pm) at the Studio, Dublin Rd., Cavan (beside McIntyre’s Furniture). The new term commences on Fri 9th September……coming soon to the Performance Academy is DDMIX (Adult Fitness Class).

For all enquiries please contact Joan on 046 949 0265 / 087 274 8627 or Vicky on 087 639 8380.