Patrick and Conor take the lead

Moyraverty Arts and Drama Society are getting ready to perform their big summer show, with two talented lads taking the lead.
Lurgan boy, Conor Headley, who will also perform as Tony when MADS performs West Side Story.Lurgan boy, Conor Headley, who will also perform as Tony when MADS performs West Side Story.
Lurgan boy, Conor Headley, who will also perform as Tony when MADS performs West Side Story.

MADS will perform ‘West Side Story’ in September, when Aghagallon native Patrick Moore and Conor Headley from Lurgan will play the story’s principal character, Tony.

Patrick, who is nineteen, and sixteen year old Conor breezed through the audition process to land the lead role, and will take to the stage in Portadown Town Hall from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th September.

Show producer, Kieran Corr, said he was delighted that both boys had been given the opportunity to perform as Tony.

Patrick Moore from Aghagallon, who will perform as Tony in MADS' production of West Side Story.Patrick Moore from Aghagallon, who will perform as Tony in MADS' production of West Side Story.
Patrick Moore from Aghagallon, who will perform as Tony in MADS' production of West Side Story.

“Both Patrick and Conor are two formidable singers and they both starred in a Les Misérables school edition last year,” Kieran said.

“Both guys really impressed at the audition process and we felt it only fair to give them both an opportunity. We have a very talented cast for this production, and Cuan Hosty Blaney from Derrytrasna will perform as Riff, and Nathan Reilly from Brownlow will perform as Bernardo. The boys in this show are all very strong and are working really hard at their dancing under the tuition of Claire McMahon. Caitrona Corr is the vocal coach and John Mitchell is the musical conductor, as we have a full live orchestra for this production.

“John Corry, from Lurgan, is the director of the show; the production team have a busy two weeks ahead of them to make sure the show is ready for opening night. ‘West Side Story’ will prove to be a professional show performed by amateurs.”

Based loosely on Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and set in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs - the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks - and the torn loyalties of two young lovers, Tony and Maria.

There will be five performances of ‘West Side Story’, with tickets costing £8 and £6 for concession.

Tickets are now available from Print Business Supplies, Lurgan; Greenes Nisa Local, Legahory; The House of Sport, Gilpinstown Retail Park; and Winnies Newsagents, Portadown.