Wexford school transforms into Las Vegas for spectacular student musical

Teacher Justin Kelly said that not only are they thrilled to receive words of praise from parents and students alike, but they are proud to be the first school in Ireland to take a jab at pulling off the intricate show.

The production, spearheaded by Deputy Principal Tommy Earls, follows couple Jack Singer and Betsy Nolan who have been dating for five years with no marriage in sight. The delay is due to Jack's mother's dying wish that he never get married, and as a true 'mammy's boy' he struggles with his guilt. Nevertheless, they spontaneously decide to have a fashionable elopement in the whimsical and chaotic land of Las Vegas.

However, Jack gets cold feet and another suitor sees an opportunity to steal Betsy from his grasps. What ensues is a hilarious and dramatic show that sees the cast travel to Hawaii in hopes of securing a happily ever after.

Given the enormity of the musical task, one would be expected to believe that production and rehearsals may have started before school left for the summer. However Mr Kelly said the whole affair was accomplished in just five short weeks.

"The cast was not even picked by the second week of September, and I don't think they got script until the third week. It is an absolutely chaotic time when school begins again," he said.

Although they has no doubt that the students would work hard to learn both the choreography, lyrics, and script, he said they were impressed by the dedication of their sixth year students who also had to balance their Leaving Cert studies.

"The two leads who are both sixth years were very dedicated and they always handed in their homework in full and on time – I don't know how they even found time to sleep!" he added.

Student contribution did not just end in cast members, as a group of students, under the guidance of art teacher Gail Connolly, went to work on creating the vibrant sets.

"She must have put around one hundred hours into the sets. She would work her normal week and then she would be designing and painting for hours afterwards even on the weekends," he said.

She also had the help of Engineering teacher Mr Flynn who put together the ornate sets.

Mr Kelly said they are overjoyed at the response they have gotten in person and on social media, not even having the chance to sit down and show principal Brendan Daly all the lovely messages. In the lead up to the shows, the production even held free matinee performances for the local primary schools, ecstatic to see the children leaving while humming the tunes.

He also admitted that Honeymoon in Vegas has undoubtedly been the most fun he has had within the school's long musical history.

"Because it was set in Las Vegas there was just very extra and American and we had a ball. Audiences would come in from the rain outside and when the curtain opened, they were suddenly in the middle of the desert," he said.