Finn Valley College in Stranorlar presented an eclectic Christmas Variety Show in the Balor Theatre last week. It was an entertaining and triumphant success, with proceeds from one show raising over €1,500 for the Michael McGrath treatment fund. Here, they look back on the wonderful Western spectacular:
The curtain has come down on another hugely successful Finn Valley College Christmas Variety Concert.
This year’s theme was ‘Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry’ and was enjoyed by three packed houses in Ballybofey’s Balor Theatre, the third of which, on Saturday afternoon, was put on in aid of the ‘Future for Michael’ fund to help raise much needed funds for our former colleague Michael Mc Grath in his ongoing battle.
Under the expert direction of teachers Shaun Byrne, Lisa Treanor and Nicole Mc Cafferty, they guided the eager students (and some equally eager staff) out west, sometimes waaay out west with an eclectic tour de force of a true variety concert.
Dolly and Polly –
otherwise known as school secretaries Susan Doyle and Rozzi Bezaz
Waltzing couples to a beautiful version of Garth Brooks_ The Dance sang by SNA Geraldine Mc Cafferty
The final line dance of the night
The lucky audiences were taken on a mesmerising journey that featured hugely talented young singers and dancers alongside hilarious original sketches, penned by the talented Mr Byrne, with many outstanding performances from both students and staff. All of this played out to a glorious country soundtrack that had something for everyone, young and old.
In all there were over 80 students and staff involved on stage during the shows with dozens more involved in the background and back at school during the weeks and weeks of preparation that went into the production- a massive team effort that highlights the excellent community spirit that exists in Finn Valley College.
Shaun Byrne addresses the audience while the cast of _Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry_ take a well earned applause
The ‘Loose Glenfin Womin’ interviewing Glenfin’s finest tribute singer ‘Ned Sheeran’
Teacher Padraig Duggan as Alan Jackson
Shawn Paul Foy ‘Hits the Diff’ complete with backing dancers
Shauna Gallagher as Tammy Wynette sings D.I.V.O.R.C.E. as the lads spell it out for the audience
Huge thanks are due to everyone involved in making the show such a rip roaring success. To the students and staff of the school, the parents and those who attended for their unstinting support and, finally, to the Balor Theatre for all their help, in particular for accommodating the show for Michael.
No doubt the dust will not have settled out west when the cogs will have begun turning again thinking of the Christmas 2018 show as the FVC Christmas Variety Concert continues to go from strength to strength. Merry Christmas y’all!
Principal Alan Thompson addresses the Balor crowd
One of the line dancing groups
Meghan Walden, Dina Patton and Letisha Merritt pose for a photo on set
Leah, Shauna, Emily, Ivija, Aimee, Maddison and Lauren perform a beautiful version of Travelling Soldier
Jessie the Cowgirl (Merry Harding) puts the Honda 50 boys through their paces Charlie Byrne, Leo Mc Aleer, Oisin Alexander and Cahir Brady-Devenny
Gloria D’Olimpio as one of the Queens of Country
Frankenstein (Thomas Gallen) rather than Frankincense found himself into the Nativity gone wrong sketch
Dillon Doherty, Cameron Potts, Loic Cech, Oran Patterson and Ronan O Donnell get in touch with their feminine side in Shania Twain’s Man I feel like a Woman
Country ‘Going for Gold’ with teachers (L-R) Theresa Mc Ginley, Paddy Mc Daid, Maria Clarke, Rory White and Shaun Byrne
Corey Moss and Emily Duffy making their way to lay the ‘Blanket on the Ground’
Caitilin Mc Nulty and Shane Doherty AKA Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter belt out ‘Jackson’
A packed Balor theatre at the performance in aid of ‘A future for Michael’
‘Good morning Glenfin’ featuring Dina Patton, Cameron Potts, Caolan Mc Clintock and Corey Moss
