A Star is born - In Association with The Special Olympics

Special Olympics Sunday the 17th Nov on Dame Street, Dublin saw a queue gathering outside the Olympia Theatre a full hour before "A Star Is Born" a concert run by Stuart O' Connor, Ciara Armstrong of the Spotlight Stage School started, despite the fact that the event was all ticket and the 1000 tickets had sold out in a matter of hours. People waited in anticipation to see members of the Stage School from Navan and Summerhill along with their co students from the Carlow Spotlight Stage Schools take to the stage with members of the Irish Special Olympic Team as well as a host of celebrities.

They need not have worried about being entertained because from the opening seconds the audience was enthralled. There was hardly a dry eye in the house as Patrisha Hannifin from Summerhill sang the Special Olympics theme song "One moment in time" to accompany the video clips from the last games. Those remaining dry eyed got a lump in their throat as the backing curtain rose and the choir of the stage school could be seen through the gauze along with 10 special Olympic athletes. The applause was deafening and was to become a feature of the rest of the night.

This was no ordinary show as the professionalism was there and it was hard to imagine that some of the children were just 7 years old. A huge number of celebrity guests came to assist master of ceremonies Brendan Hennessy from C.K.R radio. Special guests Steve and Jo from Stream on Den 2 came along and then we had Hilda Fay (Tracey) from Fair City introduce "Bugsy Malone", a show that she began her career in 16 years ago, along with Stuart O'Connor.

Alan Hughes from Ireland A.M (TV 3) and Derek Mooney (spin the wheel Derek) did a lovely 2 handed intro and we later had a spot form Irelands master of comedy Noel V Ginnity. Stage School member Ciaran Keating (who is rehearsing at present for this years Gaiety panto) brought the house down with "Dancing Fool". We moved through the Classics from Grease, the 1970's, Annie, Jackson Five and S Club 7 until a very special guest Peter Smith arrived in straight from his notoriety and success in UK's Pop Rivals. The female members of the audience were swooning as he sang "Hello" and the song which he sang on his last night of Pop Rivals "I Just Called To Say I Love You".

We even had video wishes from sports stars like Jason Sherlock and DJ Carey, Geraldine Hendricken but it was Evan Kelly and Willie Quinlan who caused the greatest cheers as the rival Meath and Carlow camps tried to outdo each other.

Anna Nolan with Anita O'Connor We then moved to a highpoint when star of TV's Big Brother and Ask Anna, Anna Nolan came on stage to speak. She flew over specially from London to be present. She spoke of the importance of Special Olympics, not just next years games, but the fact that all over the country Special Olympics at all levels provides a programme of sports for children with special needs, which has a huge benefit on their development. She introduced the Olympian athletes and recited the Special Olympic oath "Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt" The athletes left the stage smiling and waving and we moved into Joint is Jumping which could have graced any professional show.

We swayed and smiled as the girls and lads bopped and sang all the way into the finale' "We are the world". It was then that we realised the magnitude and logistics of this event. 350 children filled the stage, the aisles and passages of the Dress circle, Upper circle and stalls among the audience. How did they fit them all back stage and get them all on and off? It was a rousing end to a wonderful night.

Finale Tom Dowling Meath County Manager and former Carlow County Manager spoke on behalf of the 2 communities expressing his pride and delight at the performance. He stressed that his and our generation never dared to dream of getting the chance to perform on such a stage and now we get to see our children mixing with and matching the best.

Stuart O'Connor handed over a cheque of €11,000 to Ms Mary Davis for the Special Olympic World Games fund and both spoke of looking forward to working together in the future in projects which will see Spotlight Productions and Stage Schools a high profiled event to take place in the "Point Theatre" next June