Lisburn teacher gets ready to direct hit musical at the Grand Opera House
Lisburn teacher Laura Kerr is getting ready to put her directorial skills to good use once again as she takes on the task of putting together a new production for the awardwinning St Agnes’ Choral Society.
The amateur musical company, which was established in 1957, will be bringing the Cole Porter classic Anything Goes to the stage of the Grand Opera House next Spring.
From April 14 – 18, for one week only, audiences are invited to join the saucy sailors, socialites and nightclub ne’er-do-wells aboard the SS American, brought to life by an all-singing and dancing seventy-strong company full of Northern Ireland’s best local talent.
The announcement of Anything Goes follows a highly successful and critically acclaimed 2025 production of Come From Away at the Lyric Theatre, in its first amateur performance across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Audiences at the Grand Opera House have enjoyed the company’s series of sell-out productions including Calamity Jane, The Addams Family, and Shrek The Musical.
These shows were all directed by Laura Kerr, one of the province’s best respected directors, who’s delighted to be working with St Agnes’ one more to deliver up another showstopper.
Laura is a much loved teacher at Pond Park Primary School, but she is also a tremendous performer in her own right.
No stranger to the Opera House footlights, Laura most recently appeared as Madame Thernardier in Les Miserables, the first adult amateur production granted special permission to be performed by its creator, Cameron Mackintosh, in its record-breaking 40-year history.
This production of Cole Porter's glittering score and witty libretto will be led by an exceptional creative team, including Musical Director Adam Darcy, and Choreographer Ann Marie Morgan.
Together with Laura, they are excited to bring to life showstopping tap routines and graceful duets in the style of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
“The show’s defining musical numbers ‘Blow, Gabriel Blow’, and the title-song ‘Anything Goes’ are wonderful opportunities for our province’s best dancers to shine at their best, and we’re excited to open auditions for new talent aged seventeen and above to grace the stage of the iconic Grand Opera House,” said Laura.
Auditions for the show will be held in January and tickets are on sale now from the Grand Opera House Box Office.