Phoenix Players get set for '˜Oklahoma'

The young cast have been tirelessly rehearsing for their upcoming performances, but were delighted to take time out for a visit from the Lord Mayor Garath Keating this week.

The Mayor stopped by during one of the Players’ rehearsals on Tuesday evening, to catch a sneak preview of the summer production - which comes as the renowned group celebrates its 29th anniversary.

The young and energetic cast is made up of young people from more than 25 schools and colleges from across the borough - meaning that audiences will certainly be in for a treat with next week’s performances.

Preparations for their production of this Rogers and Hammerstein classic are in the final stages and, with top songs such as ‘Oh, what a beautiful morning’, ‘The Surrey with a fringe on top’ and the iconic ‘Oklahoma!’, there may well be more than the cast singing along.

Set in a Western Indian territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colourful background against which Curly (played by Ryan McNally and Conor Headley), a handsome cowboy, and Laurey (played by Caoimhe Cullen and Diarine McCaughley), a winsome farm girl, play out their love story.

Although the road to true love never runs smooth, with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, love’s journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road!

The first show takes place in Portadown Town Hall on Thursday, 25 August, with the last performance on Sunday 28th - with a matinee at 2pm that Sunday, as well.

Tickets are available from Winnies Newsagent, Woodhouse St, Portadown, and can also be purchased at the door.

For further information, call 07899 629 227 or visit the Portadown Phoenix Players’ Facebook page.