The Devious Theatre Company certainly know how to put the word ‘fun’ into ‘fundraiser’ as four fantastic local acts turned out in Cleere’s on Saturday night last to raise much needed funds for the Kilkenny based theatre company’s production of ‘Cannibal! The Musical’ in the Watergate Theatre this August.
People were warned that anything was possible for the night any the group held true to their word. First to take to the stage was Happy Medium frontman Ken McGuire, known for his work with KilkennyMusic.com and himself a part of The Devious Theatre Company. With a set list of new material including ‘Weary Is The King’ and ‘If You Could Return’ it was the final song of the set that had everyone on their feet singing and cheering as the packed house echoed every word of ‘Sweat’ by Inner Circle. The members of The Devious Choir (including John Morton, Kevin Mooney and Paddy Dunne), which had been formed five minutes before the show, gladly “gave it socks” as the night was truly under way.
Second to the stage was Gowran man Jack O’Leary, now trading under the name of Moses Moorhous. With cellist Jane Murphy and songstress Aisling O’Neill in tow, Jack performed a terrific set of original material coupled with his trademark story telling. Songs like ‘Doomsday River’ and ‘Blessed Ignorance Of Man’ had swiftly become fan-favourites. Known for is solo performances, the addition of the cello and backing vocals further compliment O’Leary’s already respected and matured unique sound on the stage.
One of the real treats of the night however was the Kilkenny debut of four-piece 40 Love, the combination of Conor Brett, Danny Coady, Liam Teehan and David Thompson creating a real twist in the musical cocktail of the night. Peddling the kind of country based, steeped in Americana, hard rock currently en vogue thanks to the likes of the Kings of Leon, the band made a huge impact with the likes of ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ and ‘Maggie’s Farm’. The vocal combination of Brett, Coady and Thompson coupled with the pseudo-funky bass lines provided by Teehan and the sharp timing and wizardry of Brett on the guitar had everyone in the now loaded venue jumping, whooping and cheering along to some of the finest tunes to come from across the water.
The headline slot on the night was reserved for Supernova Scotia, the brainchild of David Sheenan. Composed of Sheenan and some of the members of A Safe Dry Place the group have built up a massive internet following thanks in part to a unique combination of instruments from the harmonicas to synth organs, electronic and live drum beats, roaring electric guitar sounds and deep driven bass lines and inspiration from the likes of Kraftwerk, Death In Vegas, The Jackson 5 and Prince. Having played a low-key gig in Cleere’s Theatre on the Friday night with Queen Kong, the band let loose on Saturday night and didn’t disappoint. Friends and fans of the band sang along to every word and wouldn’t let the band leave the stage, encouraging a repeat of earlier tunes like ‘In The City’. Having firmly made an impact on the live circuit last night, the band are going to be back in town for the Problems At The Pancake House showcase night in Cleere’s Theatre on August 18th.
The night wouldn’t have been complete without some ‘Devious antics as early in the night Jack O’Leary ushered local artist Mick Minogue to the stage to provide face painting for the evening - one face painted for every song played on the night. Needless to say there were some strange looking creatures lurking around the bar afterwards.
The night was deemed as success by the group who will be performing the Irish premiere of ‘Cannibal! The Musical’ by Trey Park (of South Park) this time next month and we’ve been assured that the funds raised on the night have gone straight into the Cannibal budget! Tickets for Cannibal are available now from the Watergate Theatre by phoning 056 7761674 or check www.devioustheatre.com for all the details.
