Father and son head to head in musical

This particular musical is a first for the society, but there is also another first. The society is keen for the experience to be as authentic as possible for the audience so with that in mind the principal roles of Coach Bolton and his son Troy are being played by a real father and son from the Lisnagarvey stable.

James Marsden, who has performed in many of the Youth Society productions over the years, plays the part of Troy the basketball star, who yearns to spread his wings and be a singer.

Noel Marsden from the Lisnagarvey Operatic Society, and fresh out of the Society’s award nominated production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, plays the father, who discovers the basketball star he continually criticises and pressures to perform well on the Basketball court is actually first and foremost his son.

Outside of the society civil servant Noel Marsden is a keen musician who sings and plays, guitar, piano, mandolin, flute and blues harp. His claim to fame on the local music scene is when he and his band released a song called “Not so Wonderful” on their own record label and pressed 1000 copies for sale. National music papers picked up on it and said it lived up to its title. Noel would argue that this was a bit harsh as he did manage to sell 15 copies.

Not to be outdone by his father, James also sings and plays guitar, piano, and trombone. He has just completed his A levels and will be starting Queens University in September where he will be studying Law and Politics.

Although Coach Bolton and Troy have an unhealthy personal relationship, in real life Noel and James are very close. Any rivalry is healthy competition between the two whether it be in their music, acting or whatever else they are involved in together.

Tickets for High School Musical are on sale now from the Island Hall Box Office on 92509254 or online at www.laganvalleyisland.co.uk.