Sheelagh’s thoughts on Frank Sinatra, Flint and Fiddler on the Roof

A former nursery nurse and lay magistrate, the mother-of-four and grandmother-of-five, Sheelagh has been a member of Bangor Operatic since 1972 on stage (mostly in minor roles or chorus, she states), back stage, as production manager, committee member, Chairperson and Secretary.

“I was definitely seeing amateur musical theatre from every angle!” she said.

“In 2006 I was invited to become Northern Ireland Regional Representative for NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) which region is joined with the Welsh region. As Regional Rep. I am invited to attend musical and drama productions all around the country, review them and choose nominations and present awards in 12 categories.

“I attend regular regional committee meetings, conferences and an annual National Conference. Sadly there seems to be little chance of theatres opening again any time soon - at least for musicals which involve large casts and, surprise surprise - singing! Westminster did suggest opening without singing which would be rather difficult...”

Here Sheelagh answers our questions:

Q. What is your favourite song/album?

A. Second to songs from musicals, I love Swing. Back in the day Frank Sinatra was favourite with “Songs for Swinging Lovers” but more recently it was Robbie Williams with “Swing When you’re Winning”. I can’t listen to this type of music without dancing along!

Q. What is your favourite film?

A. I can’t decide between High Society, Cabaret and Chicago. You’ll notice they are all musicals which I love because of the songs and the actors in them. I do love war films too.

Q. What is your favourite piece of classical music and why?

A. ‘The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves’ from Nabucco by Verdi. I have never seen the opera but we used to sing it every year as finale in the Belfast concert known as Cavalcade of Song and I really enjoyed singing it.

Q. Who is your favourite artist (eg van Gogh) and why?

A. Augustus John - particularly his figure drawings which I studied at school. Also Russell Flint, a couple of whose framed and signed prints we were given as wedding presents and later my father-in-law was clever enough to frame all the prints of a Russell Flint calendar so all the family have them in their homes!

Q. What is your favourite play and why?

A. ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’. I saw this in the Grand Opera House a few years ago and was looking forward to seeing it again but it was cancelled due to the Corona Virus pandemic. I thought it was an amazing piece of theatre and the leading actor gave a unique insight into the mind of someone with Autism.

Q. What is your favourite musical and why?

A. Now this is a really difficult one as I have taken part in so many and seen so many. When first released, Fiddler on the Roof had a big impact - when I went on a trip to York to see the amateur premiere there were no bows at the end; just groups of actors highlighted in silence. Very emotive. I have taken part in three productions, one as Grandma Tzeital in the dream scene and twice as Yente, which I loved. I love Die Fleidermaus for the music and most recently my favourite is The Addams Family - hilarious with memorable music.

Q. What is your most special moment in the arts and why?

A.The first time I experienced a standing ovation - at the end of Bangor Operatic Society’s 65th Anniversary show - the updated version of

Pirates of Penzance in 1984. Nowadays friends of the cast are always starting a standing ovation whether the production deserves it or not, which has devalued it.

Q. What ‘classic’ just doesn’t do it for you?

A. Moulin Rouge. I just couldn’t get into it.

Q. What have you been reading/watching/listening to/revisiting during the Coronavirus period?

A. I’m not a big reader and would generally only read books on holiday. As I was shielding during lockdown I couldn’t get a daily newspaper so I had to make the Sunday paper last all week! My garden received a lot of extra attention and I did watch more TV than usual - Classic Eastenders from the very beginning and box sets of Roots, Tenko and Downton Abbey.