Shooting Stars, Athy celebrates 15 years with a variety show
Lily Murphy as Belle and Isabelle McMahon as Mrs Potts
ATHY Stage School, Shooting Stars, celebrated 15 years in business with a packed variety show, which captured memorable snippets from a wide range of productions, highlighting the best of over a decade of performances.
The production showcased a rich mix of musical numbers, drama, and dance, drawing on past productions, giving audiences a taste of everything from Beauty and the Beast to The Greatest Showman, as well as favourites like Mary Poppins, The Lion King, Matilda, Aladdin, Shrek, and Hairspray.
“We wanted to celebrate what we’ve done over the last 15 years,” said Isobel Brady, Owner of Shooting Stars. “The kids had a blast.” The show opened with a nod to one of the group’s earliest performances, Beauty and the Beast, and featured a special segment from a production staged at Disneyland Paris last year.
This year’s variety show ensured that every participant had their moment in the spotlight, with each class group performing its own segment, and even the youngest members delivering lines on stage.
The production ran across four performances, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening, along with a Saturday matinee.
With a fantastic turnout and an even more fantastic performance, everyone involved has earned a well-deserved rest for the show that was 10 months in the making.
The final production ran for over two hours, split into two halves, and was met with strong support from families and the wider community.
“We’re very lucky to have such fantastic audiences. Without the parents and supporters, we wouldn’t have a show,” said Isobel.
A standout feature was the return of past pupils, who joined current performers on stage for a Sister Act medley and a performance of the song “Seasons of Love” from Rent.
Looking ahead, the group shows no signs of slowing down. Plans are already underway for future productions, as well as a potential return trip to perform at Disneyland, possibly in May 2027.
