Past pupils always tell of how the musical was the highlight of their Transition Year. I was never sure whether they meant it or not. Nevertheless, we Transition Year students have been looking forward to this year’s musical with much anticipation since the moment we heard it was to be Beauty and the Beast. You can imagine the excitement each one of us is feeling on reaching the final ‘performance week’. And now, I feel confident that I can confirm what they say; this musical has indeed been the highlight of my year, so far anyway.

Every moment of this process has pushed me, and everyone else in the year, outside of our comfort zones. From the first drama workshops in September, to the auditions in October, to my very first time performing on stage in front of an audience. All have been pretty nerve-wrecking but surprisingly enjoyable too. Because, although I swear those auditions gave me just a few grey hairs, I have also had the honour of watching a bunch of fifteen/sixteen year old schoolgirls be transformed into the most amazing actresses or rather, transformed into Belle and the Beast and Lumiere and Gaston. My classmates suddenly became characters. We have learned so many important life skills, such as how to have a fake conversation on stage, how to sing in a French or a British accent, how to dance like a wolf, as well as other skills like stage-confidence, managing mics, working a soundboard, choreographing a dance routine, enhancing the stage with lighting, and many more. I have been in uncontrollable, stomach-hurting peals of laughter and I have been close to tears (watch out for that climax towards the end, you’ve been warned) simply by watching rehearsals.

Every one of us is determined to make this musical the very best one this school has ever seen, so be ready to experience something simply amazing this week at Coláiste na Toirbhirte. After all, it is the highlight of our entire year, so we will make sure that our performance will be nothing short of exceptional.

by Annie O’Callaghan Transition Year