Catholic guilt and an obsession with Oscar Wilde combine to form an old-fashioned musical with a twist at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) next week.
Second year acting students will perform A Man of No Importance based on the Albert Finney film and the book by Terrence McNally.
Student, Jack Matthews, plays the lead of Alfie Byrne, a bus conductor in 1960s Dublin. The musical follows Alfie, who is obsessed with the work of Oscar Wilde, through his struggle to put on an amateur performance of Wilde’s play Salome at St. Imelda’s Church hall.
“It’s a light-hearted musical that everyone can connect to, but it also has its darker elements. Not only is Alfie struggling to put on the play, he’s also dealing with his own demons such as his sexuality”, said Director Iain Davie.
He adds; “There are a number of different plot points compared to the film by Albert Finney. The cast is effectively performing a play within a play through a blend of pop and traditional Irish folksongs.”
“This down to earth musical is something special, it’s a sweet, charming story which shows the audience the many endearing qualities of one man of no importance”, said Mr Davie.