STARS from Manx musicals over the past 30 years are being reunited for a unique fundraising spectacular – in aid of a very special little boy.
The Best of the Best of Manx Musicals is being staged by David Artus, a well-known name in local musical theatre, in aid of Kirk Michael youngster Connell Tebay.
Scoill Ree Gorree pupil Connell, eight, suffers from debilitating Dravet Syndrome, a genetic condition which causes severe seizures.
Money from the production will go to the Dravet Syndrome charity and to Rebecca House which Connell has attended since it opened.
David, 42, said: ‘Connell has something called Dravet syndrome, which basically means he has had strong fits since birth.
‘This has affected his physical and mental health and is a very dangerous illness. He needs 24 hour care.
‘I wanted to help somehow by raising a little money, so an idea came to mind, ‘The Best of the Best of Manx Musicals’ based on the most popular musicals performed locally over the last 30 years by Manx Operatic, Douglas Choral Union, Taylorian, Jersey International, with the only rule being the original performers singing the original songs.
‘Although these societies are friendly towards each other they hardly ever perform together, simply because of the friendly rivalry that has built up over the years.
‘There will be 25 leading artists singing the iconic songs that made them famous here.
‘Ernie Thorn is coming back to the stage after 27 years to revive his role as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. The hairs are going to be standing up on the back of my neck. It’s just going to be magical.
‘Geoff Shimmin will be coming back to play Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof, and Val Kissack, Tony Hawks, Simon Fletcher and other well-known performers will be taking part.
‘The concert will also include most of the big musical numbers from more recent years – Wizard of OZ, and Beauty and the Beast, Sweeny Todd.
‘I will be singing Bring him Home as Jean Valjean from Les Mis. There’s a good mix of young and old – there’ll be the big show-stopping ballads, light hearted dance routines and upbeat rock songs.’
He added: ‘It’s a very simple idea but never been done before to the best of my knowledge and we think it will be a very special evening’s entertainment.
‘The response from the theatre community has been staggering, and actually the hardest task I had was choosing between songs.’
He first heard about Connell’s plight at a fundraising barn dance held at Bishopscourt Farm.
David’s wife Victoria has been friends with Connell’s mum Louise since they went to school together and David’s son Jensen goes to the same school – Michael School – as Connell’s little sister Lola, aged six.
Louise said she was delighted that David was staging the show. ‘Something like this is a bit different and will showcase the true talent that we have in the island,’ she said.
She explained that Connell was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome when he was five.
‘You never think something like this is going to happen. We first thought he had epilepsy but the seizures got worse and worse. A lot of people with epilepsy grow up to lead normal lives but with this syndrome it’s much more difficult to control. It causes other problems with learning, mobility and speech.’
Tickets for the show at the Villa Marina at 7.30pm on Saturday, May 12, are £20 and available on 600555.