Clonakilty’s Sacred Heart Secondary School is buzzing with excitement as staff and students prepare for the annual school musical, Beauty & The Beast. 

This year’s production invites audiences into the world of Belle, a bright, independent heroine who finds romance and a curse that turns a prince into a beast. This year marks 46 years of musicals in the school since the production of Smike in 1979.

Eileen Nolan, of Montforts College, directed the musicals at the school for 37 years. Mrs Nolan sadly passed away last year, leaving a lasting legacy, now continued by the current director. Director Donna O’Regan said: ‘I feel incredibly lucky to have learned from one of the best in the business. Every time we open a show, I think of her and hope we’re making her proud by continuing her legacy.’

Musical director Denise Hayes infuses the production with her wonderful musicianship, while choreographer William Browne brings boundless energy and creativity to the dance numbers. Set designer Judy O’Connell, brings the show to life with her artistic vision, expertly project-managing and painting each set to perfection. 

Beauty & The Beast is a schoolwide collaboration, drawing more than 150 students into roles ranging from costumes and hair to programme design and raffle management. 

Sacred Heart’s theatre programme has earned national recognition in the past, including awards for Best Overall Musical, Best Director, Best Choral Performance and Best Individual Performer.

French author Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve wrote the original story of Beauty & The Beast and published it in 1740 as a lengthy fairy tale. In 1991, Disney adapted the story into an animated film with a soundtrack that blended influences from French music, classical, pop and musical theatre. The memorable title song of the film was performed by the late actor Angela Lansbury. 

More recently, in 2017, a dark fantasy version of the fairytale starring Emma Watson was a box office smash and was nominated for two Oscars.

Performance dates for Beauty & The Beast run from Wednesday, December 3rd, to Saturday, December 6th, with curtain up at 7pm. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, November 20th. Given past demand, early booking is advised. You can call 023 8833737 to secure seats.