Fusion recreates the Europa at the Island

It is a musical which Fusion Theatre will be performing in the Island Centre from February 8-11. As Director, Ian Milford said: “I haven’t directed many musicals where I can remember what the location was like at the time in which the musical was set. I think that everyone of our generation remembers, and has fond memories of the Europa back then.”

However, Chairperson Anne McCleary took the matter one stage further when she decided to write to Sir William Hastings, who founded the Hastings Hotel Group, which now owns the Europa, to ask for some assistance with the design of the set.

Anne was delighted when a representative of the Hastings Hotel Group replied to her letter, offering to help, in any way possible. As a result, Anne visited a Hastings Group store where unwanted items are kept.

Anne, and set-designer Maria Mallon identified some typical hotel items, such as trouser-presses and desk sets, which will add a real touch of authenticity to the set. However, Anne was most pleased to find a Northern Ireland Tourist Board poster of Northern Ireland showing the location of all the Hastings Hotels. She says that the poster will have pride of place in the bedroom set, a real link back to The Europa and the ‘bad old days’ which hopefully have all been left behind.

Armed with the items donated by the Hastings Hotel Group, the Fusion set team are now hard at work building the set, at the group’s new home, at the Lisburn Enterprise Park, which is perfect for the purpose.

“We have been so lucky to receive support from so many local organisations,” continued Anne. “The Hastings Hotel Group have helped us to really make the set come alive, but we could never have done as much as we have without the new unit, owned by the Lisburn Enterprise Organisation, and without the financial support provided by both the Lisburn Arts Advisory Committee, and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (Lottery funded).”

The financial support enables the local youth group to ensure that no-one is prevented by their financial situation from becoming involved with the group, and that ticket prices are kept as low as possible.

Ian and Anne both encourage everyone who remembers 1969 or who wants to know a bit more about it, to come along to the musical which they guarantee is fun, tuneful and dramatic, as well as interesting from a historical perspective.

Tickets (priced £10 for Wednesday, £12 for Thursday and £14 for Friday/Saturday) are already on sale, from the Box Office on 9250 9254, or online at www.tickets.lisburncity.gov.uk.