Cast
Jesus – Aodhán Halfpenny
Judas – Sean Harkin
Mary Magdalene – Niamh McAuley
Herod – Simon Pyper
Caiaphas – Lucas Levy
Pilate – Kyle Emerson
Peter – Jack Cranston
Simon – James Marsden
Annas – Laoise Carney
Priest – Noel Marsden
Maid by the Fire – Olivia Pyper
Disciples
Aizan Martin
Tommy Cunningham
Amy Montgomery
Samuel Milford
Beth Conlon
Hannah Conlon
Megan McKee
Lauren Picking
Marissa McKittrick
Ensemble
Anne-Marie Briggs
Emily O'Neill
Michael Walker
Jay Gray
Hannah Hall
Demi Weir
Amy Galashan
Anna Lenzi
Chloe Morrison
Nicola Morrison
Holly Moore
Noah Patterson
Darren Neill
Aoife Kennedy
Molly Gribbon
Aimee McCay
Samantha Scott
Charlie Baxter
Bethany Holden
Elle Campbell
Darcy Pinion
Katie Johnson
Adam Patterson
Charlotte Houston
Melissa Robinson
Hayley Campbell
Jade Lewis
Riona McCann
Sean Cooper
Tracey Patterson
Stuart Archer
Aodhán Halfpenny
Jesus
Aodhán is thrilled to play "Jesus" in his second production of Jesus Christ Superstar, following his performance as "Judas" in August which he was nominated for this year's NODA awards. In that same category, Aodhán has also been nominated for his portrayal of "Tobias" in Sweeney Todd.
Aodhán has become a regular at Lisnagarvey and is also part of the committee. For Lisnagarvey, Aodhán was nominated for a NODA award for his portrayal of "Joseph" in Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat in 2023! Other credits at LODS include: Danny Zuko (Grease), Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Guys & Dolls) and Lefou (Beauty & The Beast).
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Aodhán has been fortunate to play some fantastic roles in different companies including Marius in the UK Amateur Premiere of Les Miserables in The Grand Opera House, Jesse Tuck (Tuck Everlasting - All-Ireland Musical Theatre Intervarsities Winner: Best Male Performer), Sky Masterson (Guys & Dolls), Will Parker (Oklahoma!), Frederick Barrett (Titanic), Dennis (All Shook Up), Rolf (Sound of Music), Corny Collins (Hairspray!), and Baby John (West Side Story).
Aodhán is loving this role and really hopes you enjoy his portrayal. As always, Aodhán would like to dedicate his performance to his Granny Maggie, his biggest fan.
Sean Harkin
Judas
Sean is back with Lisnagarvey Operatic and Dramatic Society for a ninth consecutive Spring musical production.
His previous roles with LODS have included Gaston in 'Beauty and the Beast', Nathan Detroit in 'Guys and Dolls', Lt. 'Sweaty' Eddie Souther in 'Sister Act', Ali Hakim in 'Oklahoma' (AIMS nomination for Best Comedian 2019), Freddy Eynsford-Hill in 'My Fair Lady', Rooster Hannigan in 'Annie', Vittorio Vidal in 'Sweet Charity' and Judas Iscariot in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (NODA nomination for Best Individual Performance 2015).
Sean has also appeared in 2 Pantomimes ('Goldilocks and the Three Bears' as Herman Ratchett and 'Cinderella' as Dandini) and was a lead soloist in 'Come to the Cabaret' in Spring 2022. Over the last decade, Sean has been very lucky to work with many companies across Ireland playing many varied roles, and can be next seen in St. Patrick's Choral Society's 'Anything Goes' as Billy Crocker next month. Previous highlights include Robbie Hart in 'The Wedding Singer', Emmett Forrest in 'Legally Blonde', Chad in 'All Shook Up', Franklin Hart Jr in '9 to 5 the musical' (AIMS nomination for Best Comedian 2023), Gomez Addams in 'The Addams Family', Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (NODA nomination for Best Individual Performance 2019), The Dentist in 'Little Shop of Horrors' (AIMS nomination for Best Comedian 2018), Stacee Jaxx in 'Rock of Ages' (AIMS nomination for Best Supporting Actor 2018) and Carl Bruner in 'Ghost the Musical'.
Sean has a degree in Drama Studies from Queen's University, Belfast, and in 2024 graduated with a PGCE in Primary Teaching. He splits his time teaching in schools, and teaching musical theatre with individual students and with Voiceworks Performing Arts School.
Niamh McAuley
Mary Magdalene
Niamh has been involved in many am-dram productions since a young age. Credits include; Wednesday in Addams Family (The Avenue Arts Academy), Kim in Miss Saigon (Grand Opera House Youth), and just last year, Doralee in 9 to 5 at the Grand Opera House (Ulster Operatic Company).
Niamh graduated last year with her BA Honours Degree in Drama at Queens University and is hoping to pursue a masters next year. Whilst at Queens she directed her first play, ‘Boys’ and was a member of ‘Queens University Players Society’. Niamh has had the honour for the past two years of assisting at the same Academy that shaped and formed her love for musical theatre, The Avenue Arts Academy.
This is Niamh’s first show with Lisnagarvey and she is looking forward to audiences seeing this amazing production. She wants to say a big thank you to all of the cast and crew for being so welcoming and she looks forward to working with them all again.
Lucas Levy
Caiaphas
Lucas has been involved in theatre from a young age and has developed a strong passion for both stage and screen performance. He trained with the National Youth Theatre, where he further honed his skills and love for acting.
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He has performed a wide range of roles across Northern Ireland and beyond, including productions such as West Side Story, Oliver!, Les Misérables, Fame! and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat. He has also toured with BLDS in Dear Lupin and Relatively Speaking, and appeared in screen and touring work with Blue Eagle Productions.
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Lucas has also worked with Belfast Operatic Company and Ballywilliam Drama Group, continuing to build experience across a variety of musical and dramatic productions.
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This is Lucas’ first production with Lisnagarvey Operatic & Dramatic Society, and he is delighted to be part of the company. He would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome and the opportunity to perform in this year’s show.
Kyle Emerson
Pilate
Kyle is delighted to be making his debut with Lisnagarvey Operatic & Dramatic Society and is excited to take on the role of Pilate.
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He has recently appeared as Wild Bill in Calamity Jane at the Grand Opera House, and previously played Che in Evita (Bardic Theatre) and Gomez in The Addams Family (Bosco). Other roles include Doody and Roger in Grease, and the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors.
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Kyle has also performed as Sweeney Todd at the Lyric Theatre, and as Perchik and Jud Fry in Oklahoma! with Flax Trust Arts at the MAC, for which he received a NODA award for his portrayal of Jud.
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Kyle is really looking forward to bringing Pilate to life and hopes you enjoy the show.
Jack Cranston
Peter
Jack first performed with Lisnagarvey Operatic & Dramatic Society at just 10 years old, playing Kurt von Trapp in The Sound of Music alongside his mum, aunt and grandmother. He later joined the Youth Society, where he took on a range of roles including the title role in Oliver!, Mr Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors and Roger in Grease.
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He became part of the main society in 2018, appearing in Oklahoma! and My Fair Lady, as well as performing as a soloist in A Night at the Cabaret. More recently, Jack has played Pablo in Sister Act, Benny Southstreet in Guys & Dolls, Isidor Straus in Avenue Arts Academy’s Titanic, and last year took on the role of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast.
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Away from the stage, Jack has been a member of Wallace High School’s Honours Choir, with opportunities to perform in Dublin, Cambridge and Washington, including singing at the Kennedy Center. He has also enjoyed performing with Cantare Voices under the direction of Musical Director Keith Pyper.
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Jack is delighted to be playing Peter in this production of Jesus Christ Superstar, one of his favourite shows, and hopes you enjoy it as much as he has loved being part of it.
James Marsden
Simon Zealotes
James is thrilled to be making his Lisnagarvey Operatic debut as Simon Zealotes, a role made even more special by the fact his father played it last time.
Having been involved in theatre from a young age, he began performing with Lisnagarvey Youth at 11 before joining Fusion Theatre. His passion for musical theatre continued into adulthood, leading him to Belfast Operatic Company in 2020.
No stranger to exciting and challenging roles, James has previously played Officer Barrel in Urinetown with Newcastle Glees, and Ren McCormack in Footloose with Fortwilliam Musical Society. However, his favourite role to date has been Raoul in Belfast Operatic Company’s The Phantom of the Opera, a role he remains privileged and thankful to have portrayed.
James would also like to extend a huge thank you to everyone at Lisnagarvey for their warm welcome and support.
Simon Pyper
Herod
Simon studied Performing Arts (Dance) at Middlesex University in London. During his training he worked with several renowned choreographers including Anne Went (National Ballet), Mark Bruce (Ballet Rambert) and Tammy McLogue (Lithuanian Dance). He also spent three years working as a resident dancer at Disneyland Paris.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Wilfie Pyper MBE, Simon has directed numerous productions across Northern Ireland. These include Sweeney Todd, Sister Act, Thoroughly Modern Millie and All Shook Up (Fortwilliam Musical Society), Whistle Down the Wind, Little Shop of Horrors and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Downpatrick Choral Society), as well as multiple youth productions and pantomimes for Lisnagarvey Operatic Society.
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Simon first appeared on stage at the age of six with Belfast Operatic Company in La Vie Parisienne at the Arts Theatre. Since then he has performed many leading roles across the province, most recently playing the Man in Chair in Rush Musical Society’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone. He is delighted to be back on stage with Lisnagarvey to reprise the role of Herod.
Laoise Carney
Annas
Laoise is delighted to be joining Lisnagarvey Operatic and Dramatic Society as Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
She has been a member of St Patrick’s Choral Society since 2009 and is a long serving committee member. Laoise studied Music and Performance at Royal Northern College of Music, Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, and Liverpool Hope University. She now teaches Music and Drama at a local secondary school and also teaches Music at Starburst Theatre School.
Recently Laoise co-directed and musically directed Footloose, High School Musical Jr and directed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,and has performed in several productions including the UK amateur premiere of Les Misérables – Let the People Sing! at the Grand Opera House Belfast. She also recently appeared in Ulster Operatic Company’s production of 9 to 5: The Musical.
Previous roles include Alice in The Addams Family, Sylvia in All Shook Up, Amandine Poulain in Amélie, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, and most recently Miss Hannigan in Annie with St Patrick’s Choral Society.
Laoise is thrilled to be joining Lisnagarvey for the first time and hopes you enjoy the show!
Noel Marsden
Priest
This is Noel’s fifth production with Lisnagarvey Operatic & Dramatic Society. He first joined over 11 years ago, appearing as both a Priest and Simon Zealotes in the society’s previous production of Jesus Christ Superstar, a role now taken on by his son, James!
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Audiences may also remember Noel as Coach Bolton in the Youth Society’s production of High School Musical. Alongside his work with Lisnagarvey, he has appeared in numerous pantomimes with other societies, taking on a variety of roles from a Genie to Freddie Mercury.
His other stage credits include The Full Monty, ’Allo ’Allo (as Monsieur Roger Leclerc) and J.B. Priestley’s When We Are Married, where he played Reverend Clement Mercer.
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Away from the stage, Noel works as a civil servant and is also a keen musician, singing and playing lead guitar and keyboards in an 80s tribute band, as well as performing his own one-man show.
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He is delighted to be part of this production and to be working alongside such a talented cast and team.
Disciples
The Disciples
Dancers
Ensemble