Well, we did it. It was hard, but overall I conducted myself with class and rehearsed for hours with an array of talented, crazy people. It was so challenging as a first-time producer and director but what I got was a tight show that told the story. The story has always been my…

Come meet the cast of "The Last Torch"!  

"The Last Torch" is set in 16th century Ireland, where survivors of a shipwreck from the Spanish Armada have washed ashore,…

The read through was scary. Letting strangers listen to the music while sitting right in front of them was scary. I did though and got some lovely compliments and ideas. It was good to see the reactions and gauge the feeling in the room as we went through. It helped me realise a few things and I have edited the score to make it flow better and sound better. :)…

It was a very exciting weekend auditioning for "The Last Torch." Both tiring and exhilarating. Casting has been a very tough job, but we have our cast -- all except Brian O'Rourke, but he will appear!

BUAGH!…

“The Last Torch” is an exciting new Irish ceoldrama being premiered in Melbourne, Australia October 1st - 4th, 2014 at the Malthouse Theatre, Southbank. It will be part of this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival. Auditions will be held in July. Please email Frances O’Neill to…

This is the latest painting from John McGinnis' "The Last Torch"  I love this piece. I love the detail, I love that it is almost a caricature and I love that Elizabeth would have hated it. Notice the blood dripping from her lips. She liked her paintings to make her look beautiful. Wait 'til she gets cast as a male tenor.…

I was a bit bored today so I quickly recorded "Danny Boy."  Just one take LIVE. Just because.  Fingers not conditioned so I was in quite a bit of pain.  hahah

Eleanor's Aria is from the upcoming musical The Last Torch, set in Ireland 1588. Eleanor Fitzgerald Butler was an aristocratic lady who was Sir Brian O'Rourkes third wife. She is presented as pregnant in the musical although this was not the case it is included to highlight the women's plight in Ireland during the conquest by the British crown. This is for all my women ancestors who suffered and fought during this time and during the consequent years.…

This is a demo from "The Last Torch". The graphics used come from Irish Homeland Photography and John McGinnis' painting "Memorare" . Eleanor was…

This is a video demo of the opening scene of "The Last Torch." It is just a demo for creative purposes. O'Rourke is out scouting when he sees the Spanish Armada in trouble off the west coast of Ireland. The visuals are taken from…

1588 ~ Streedagh Strand ~ County Sligo.

Some of King Philip of Spain's Armada run in to treacherous stormy waters and are pushed into the West coast of Ireland. The ships are crushed on the shore with many Spaniards losing their lives.

The beach is strewn with bodies some dead, some half alive, and some staggering around dazed.…

There is a link with Spain that is revealing itself. I was looking for a flamenco guitarist for for my Irish/Spanish musical. I scoured the web looking for people and came across a tapas bar that had flamenco guitar. I got an email and sent it off. A week passed and I wondered but decided to let it go. I got an email from an entertainment website where I have a profile because there were jobs matching me. I thought I would contact guitarist needs singer. Said nothing but…

There are a few recordings of songs from the Last Torch. I recorded them just for the score editor and people to get an idea. They are not professionally done and I sang all the parts, even the men. Having said all that you are welcome to go have a listen. 

Demonstration recordings for the ceoldráma The Last Torch…

Eleanor is showing signs of stress and fatigue. She prays to Mary for comfort.

“I fear my heart will break. I am tired, I am weak.

The hardships I have seen. The future always bleak.

I fear my heart will break. In two? No, tiny pieces.

And then may I rest awhile. In love that never…

Mum told me a story years ago about her godchild's mother and aunt being shot by the British army. Even though I have been digging around in her O'Rourke past, she always refers me to this other side of her family who she reminisces about with such fondness. When mum ran away from home, she went to live with Uncle James who…

SCENE 4 ~ NIGHTFALL ~ (Hillside, Breffny) YOUTUBE ~Witches Sabbath

“BLACK SABBATH”

WITCHES

HEAD WITCH

“Blessings one and all.

Gathered here tonight

Sisters! Sisters!…

There is a fantastic text where I found the following lyrics which are narrated by the witches. After O'Rourke sings the opening  "This lovely coast..." (see previous blog) The witches enter and sing these lyrics mostly with a drone accompaniment but also some fanfare. The lyrics are taken unedited from the Franciscan writings mentioned previously. Amazing words, fantastic read. Link --> …

“This lovely coast.

 Although her beauty outshines most,

 behind her veil her fierceness hides.

 Her breath like fire turns the tides.

 The night is bright and the moon catches a fearful sight.

 Spanish ships ensnared between the rocks.

 In the trap of the demon winds.…