On Thursday 8th and Friday 9th March the world premiere of the musical The Heart of Truth takes place. Vincent Kennedy was commissioned under the per cent for art scheme by Gorey Educate Together School to write and develop the musical and has been working in the school for a year now.
Vincent had Gwen Brennan write the original story. Gwen is part of the artistic team Vincent has brought together for this wonderful new musical. The team also includes the Director and Playwright Declan O’Brien, the Musical Director Ronan Dooney, the Visual Artist Niamh Murphy and the choreographer Edel McDevitt who is also a teacher in the school. Additional Lyrics and lines have been written by Declan O’Brien and Vincent. The pupils of the school helped to shape the whole production with their suggestions and talents and the result is beautiful collaborative enterprise. The musical encompasses the ethos of the Educate Together school philosophy. As part of the process the primary school pupils received singing, musical, drama and comic acting lessons. The musical score comprises 11 new songs and additional musical interludes scored for a professional band of piano, synthesiser, percussion and saxophone.
‘Music has been a faithful friend: always there to uplift, distract, colour and comfort. I write music to enrich life and take my inspiration from many sources and possibilities, like a bee using the nectar of different flowers to produce a unique honey.‘ Vincent Kennedy.
