Transition Year Theatre presents The Jamie Johnson Show

Transition Year Theatre actors rehearse for The Jamie Johnson Show

Limerick Youth Theatre’s Transition Year Theatre company proudly presents The Jamie Johnson Show directed by John Hogan on February 28 and March 1

Limerick Youth Theatre’s Transition Year Theatre company proudly presents The Jamie Johnson Show directed by John Hogan on February 28 and March 1.

Co-written by Rebecca Mooney and John Hogan, the play follows the events that unfold both on and off screen during a live television broadcast of The Jamie Johnson Show.

While a charming host on screen, Jamie is revealed to be anything but that once the show goes to commercial break with various backstage incidents breaking out between Jamie, the guests and crew! 

Working with 16 transition year students from schools in Limerick city and county, the play will be staged by the Transition Year Theatre (TYT) Company at Belltable on 28 February & 1 March 2023.

The TYT Company is being supported by two undergraduates, Fiona Hogan and Rebecca Mooney from MIC’s BA in Contemporary & Applied Theatre Studies who will lend their expertise to the production.

John Hogan, director of The Jamie Johnson Show says one of the biggest challenges is finding a play for such a large cast to perform:

“One of the challenges of the Transition Year Theatre programme is finding a play with anywhere from 15-30 characters so that each member of the cast get the chance to show off what they are able to do.

“Ensemble plays are the best approach to this and so The Jamie Johnson Show was created. Using a talk show format, it is possible to add as many characters and show segments as needed while also keeping an overall narrative to the play to create a cohesive story.”

He noted through the ‘segment’ format, it made it easier to write, dividing scenes between “myself and Rebecca Mooney with Fiona Hogan also contributing characters including one of my favourites ‘Officer Giggles'”.

Angie Smalis, Artistic Director of LYT further commented, ‘We are thrilled that we can offer TY students the opportunity to gain a valuable hands-on work experience with us. This really does give students an insight into how a theatre company is run and the work involved in staging a show at a professional venue.”

The artistic director said following a challenging few years for the performing arts “it is wonderful to be able to continue to maintain a high level of engagement through theatre making”.

“The play is a feast for the senses, the director has incorporated song and dance to this comic piece and we know it’s going to be a great night out for family and friends,” she concluded.

Limerick Youth Theatre is delighted to be able to run its Transition Year Theatre Company thanks to the generous support from Limerick City and County Council through its Social Intervention Fund and Limerick & Clare Education Training Board.

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For ticket information visit Limetree theatre.