Just what the doctored ordered!

I think it’s fair to say we could all benefit from a little therapy at different times in our lives. That therapy can be different things to different people - listening to your favourite song, having a good laugh with a friend or just a break from the norm.

Cavan Institute students from the Theatre and Music & Sound Production courses delivered all of the above with their own brand of therapy last Wednesday night in what was an impressive production in the Town Hall Theatre, which doubled up as an end of year showcase for the pupils.

The audience were treated to a musical performance in the first half with an eclectic mix of sounds and genres. From Smashing Pumpkins’ 1979 to Dolly Parton’s Joleen and Noah Kahan’s Stick Season, there was something for everyone in the audience. The breadth and depth of talent was clear as musicians frequently swapped instruments and places on stage, with many comfortable and competent on lead vocals; not to mention some impressive rifts on lead guitar.

While there was a somewhat broad spectrum in terms of musical ability, all students demonstrated their potential and talent with some lovely performances. The stand out for me? The Smith’s ‘Back to the Old House’ with Ronan Clifford on lead vocals. He was mesmerizing – whatever ‘it’ is, Ronan has it in spades; but there are others hot on his heels.

Congratulations to all the musicians and singers -Sean McKiernan, Cian Kirwan, Frankie Coyle, Matthew Vahey, Gearoid Doherty, Tyrone Kearns, James Fogarty, Ruby Brady Flood, Kelly Quinn, Aaron McCann, Cait Plunkett and Kostiantyn Sysoiev.

After a short interval, it was the turn of the drama students to take centre stage. You wouldn’t expect such a high standard from a college production but the play was thoroughly enjoyable.

While tackling a difficult topic – mental health – My Therapist Needs Therapy took a light-hearted approach, with plenty of laughs, some stereotypes, and a good dose of old-fashioned humour.

Introducing the piece, Chloe Brady put it best: “The play revolves around mental health themes, aiming to shed a positive light on this important topic. The objective is not to offend but to destigmatize mental health and provide some comic relief. The ultimate goal is to bring laughter and joy to our audience. As we believe, there’s a little bit of crazy in all of us and there is no shame in that!”

Chloe went on to put in a fine comic performance as nosey cleaner Gloria – hanging around the office for gossip and seriously testing Dr Zen’s boundaries of doctor-patient confidentiality.

Emil Nowak was just born to play Dr Zen and executed the role perfectly. He was kept in check by his receptionist Lydia, played by Sophie Sweeney who put in a confident and charming performance. Dr Zen’s wife (Annie Macklin) was another solid actor.

The clients had a wide range of problems and symptoms. There was Sorry Guy (Emmett Mackle), the Kleptomaniac (Alex King), the Overthinker (Seodhna Smith), the Crier (Brad McCormack), Paranoid Paul (Marcus Doran), the Shopaholic (Grace Seldon). There was also the sinister 'Raven', played by Davina Lynch, who was ordered by the court to therapy.

It’s very hard to pick a favourite performance such was the quality throughout. I particularly enjoyed the Red Devil (Anastasia Zasimchuk) and also the scenes that involved Patrick (Edward Flood) his on-stage wife Deborah (Megan Cleary), Dr Zen (Emil) and his girlfriend Alexandra (Taisila). They were a howl.

What’s perhaps most impressive is that the students were involved in pulling the play together – in developing their own characters and weaving their storylines together. It was an improv-inspired performance, which gave it an extra edge or energy – it didn’t come across as rehearsed or contrived. Paranoid Paul (Marcus), in the way he fed off the audience, was particularly strong.

After a day of listening to everyone else’s problems (and juggling his own), it’s no wonder Dr Zen is losing his cool by the end of the show. In short, My Therapist Needs Therapy was just what the doctor ordered – a good tonic for the soul!

Judging by quality of music, singing and acting on the night and considering this is the beginning for many of these students and their careers, the sky’s the limit.

Congratulations to the performers; and also Sue Donohoe, music tutor and Vanessa Flood, Theatre Performance tutor and director of ‘My Therapist Needs Therapy’ for their work behind the scenes in preparing the students and helping them with their arrangements and performances.

It’s heartening that students can get such a broad and quality grounding in creative subjects such as these locally before committing to more expensive degrees away from home.

Better again – there are plenty of link courses with universities where students can progress their studies and advance their talents further.