Downpatrick actress starring in musical

Downpatrick actress starring in musical

6 June 2012

A DOWNPATRICK actress is among those starring in the new Sweet Charity musical at the MAC in Belfast.

Hannah-Ray Darcey is playing the part of Ursula.

Having trained at the Guilford School of Acting, the 24 year-old now lives in London and is a member of the West End Gospel Choir and burlesque group The Roseate Project.

Recent theatre credits include Helen of Troy in Doctor Faustus and Maria in West Side Story with the Bernstein Festival in the Southbank Centre, London. Hannah-Ray was also recently nominated for a Broadway World Award for her performance as Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in L.A.

The joint Bruiser Theatre Company and MAC production is a funny, poignant and toe-tapping production of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical — with well-known hits such as Hey, Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now and The Rhythm of Life.

This impressive small cast combines acting, singing, dancing, musical instrument playing and prop waving in an energetic and seamless production, which follows the misadventures of the plucky and guileless Miss Charity Hope Valentine.

Unlucky in love, she keeps the faith that her big break and Prince Charming are just around the corner.

The lead role, Charity, is played by Laura Pitt-Pulford, who has previously on the West End as Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard.

Damian Smyth, Head of Drama and Literature at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, highlighted the variety of theatre accessible at this prestigious new arts venue.

“From the serious to the upbeat, there really is something for everyone in the programme over the forthcoming months,” he said. “And Sweet Charity at the MAC will be the place to be over the next few weeks.”

Sweet Charity runs until June 17.