If you thought a child’s book of the ABC may not be the most obvious source of inspiration to create a musical show, then maybe you should go along to Theatrefest’19 this weekend.

Among the four new pieces of locally-produced theatre on offer over the two nights of the festival will be the premiere of the new family musical ’M is for Manx Cat’.

The show is based on the new children’s reading aid, ’M is For Manx Cat - An Isle of Man ABC’, which was released earlier this year.

The book was written by Gemma Hjerth, and is illuminated with pages of eye-catching designs by artist Kim Graziano.

Gemma was approached by the organisers of Theatrefest, Kristene Sutcliffe and Lisa Kreisky, with an idea to create a show in time for this year’s festival, after seeing an inventive show at the Gaiety Theatre.

’The main idea came from Kristene Sutcliffe, after she was inspired by the stage play of the Julia Donaldson book "The Snail and the Whale",’ said Gemma.

’They were very quick to get the play written, as my book was only released in April, but both Kristene and Jane Corkill, from the Isle of Man Arts Council, thought there was enough in the book to make something out of it.’

In the play, two children, played by Isaac Kreisky and Alexis Wilson, are entertained by the grandmother, played by Claire Kilgallon, who sings them songs inspired by the book.

’Kristene has spent many hours searching through the Manx Songbook, and she has found songs about the Isle of Man that can go with each letter of the alphabet’ said Gemma.

’I am genuinely fascinated, as I haven’t seen anything of the play yet, so I will only get to see it when it is actually performed.

’But I am very intrigued to see how it will all come about.

’I am surprised by how well the book has taken off, as I have only had the book out for the last six months.

’I had many ideas for the different things you can do with the book, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would ever be made into a musical.’

Theatrefest’19 begins tomorrow night (Friday), with two plays, ’Purga Tree’, a horror play written by Mike Bonner, and ’Identity’, directed by John Wright.

’M is for Manx Cat’ will be performed at the Studio Theatre, at Ballakermeen High School, on Saturday, October 5, from 7.30pm, with opportunities to buy signed copies of the book.

Tickets are £10 for adults, with concessions £8, with 25% discount on weekend tickets, available online from studiotheatre.im

by Mike Wade

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