Lisburn man’s theatre company going from strength to strength

Simon has been on stage since he was a child and has performed with many well known amateur companies, including Lisburn’s own Lisnagarvey Operatic Society.

His passion for musical theatre was so strong that he decided to set up his own company and has already begun work on a wide range of professional shows and concerts for the year ahead.

“Showcase Productions has been going on and off since 2000,” explained Simon. “I moved to London for five years and started the company again when I came home. We have helped to raise money for different causes, including Lisburn Ladies Hard of Hearing Group.”

Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength and rehearsals are well underway for their next show - a fully staged and choreographed professional production of ‘Broadway Nights’, which features a wide selection of songs from hit musicals including Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Shrek, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Chicago, Sister Act, Oliver and The Producers.

The show features a cast drawn from some of the best musical theatre companies in Northern Ireland, including Lisnagarvey Operatic, and is choreographed by Johanna Johnston. It will be staged at the Belvoir Players Studio on May 4 and 5 and tickets are on sale now, priced £12/10.

The company is also working on a very different production, a horror play entitled ‘Sleep No More’, which will be staged at the Strand Cinema in Belfast on June 22.

Simon will be bringing the company home to Lisburn on July 28 when he will stage a charity concert at the Island Hall to raise funds for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. Tickets, priced £20, are on sale now from the Box Office on 9250 9254 or online at www.tickets.lisburncity.gov.uk.

Looking ahead, the company will be reprising their very successful dramatised version of Blood Brothers, which will be playing in Newcastle, Banbridge and Newtownabbey, as well as one home ground at Lisburn’s Island Arts Centre Studio Theatre on September 7 and 8.

As if that isn’t keeping Simon busy enough, he is also busy rehearsing with Belfast Operatic Company for their upcoming production of Titanic the musical, which will be returning to the stage of the Grand Opera House in Belfast in April to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the ship’s tragic maiden voyage.

For further information about Showcase Productions, to book tickets for upcoming shows or to enquire about auditioning for next year’s productions, contact Simon by emailing [email protected].

[email protected]