Local stars happy with Oscar nomination

THESE are happy days for a local school of performing
arts following the news that light hearted short film

‘Pentecost’ has been
nominated for an Oscar.

Directed by Peter McDonald and produced by Eimear
O’Kane,

‘Pentecost’ featured 12 students from Happy Days School of Performing
Arts, including sisters Aoibhin and Caoimhe O’Connell, from Swords, and
brothers Conor and Piers Ryan, from Donabate.

Director Peter McDonald said he is really proud of

‘Pentecost’ and everyone’s work on the film.

“It is an Irish story produced by a full Irish cast
and crew with funding from the Irish Film Board,

? stated Mr McDonald.

“The film I had in my head is the film that I made and
I know from my experience as an actor that doesn’t happen unless you have a
talented cast and crew to help you achieve this.

“I hope that the nomination will create new
opportunities for all involved. It is great that the film has connected at such
a universal level.”

Eimear O’Kane said: “It’s such exciting news for
us, we’re absolutely thrilled.

“It’s a great honour to be part of the Irish
contingent who will be travelling to LA.

“On behalf of both Peter and I, I’d like to extend a
huge thank you to the Irish Film Board for supporting us and to all the cast
and crew who worked so hard to make this film happen.”

‘Pentecost’ stars Andrew Bennett, Michael McElhatton
and Don Wycherley and tells the story of a young altar boy who is forced to
serve at an important mass and has to make a difficult choice: conform to the
status quo or serve an extended ban from his passion in life – football.

It is the eighth Irish short film to receive an
Academy Award nomination since 2002.

Happy Days Director Gráinne O’Rourke said that since
they added a casting agency to their Performing Arts School, their students
have appeared in many films, ads and TV shows.

“For such young people they always work really hard
and perform with great maturity and professionalism on these productions,

? she
said.

“It’s so wonderful to see their work get international
recognition.”

The Oscar nomination could not have happened at a
better time for Happy Days as the school is currently in rehearsals for its
next big show in the Helix on March 25.

“This nomination adds even more to our delight and
excitement as we have had wonderful successes in all our shows and particularly
our recent musicals

‘Oliver’ and the

‘Wizard of Oz’,

? Ms O’Rourke added.

In their last charity fundraising show

‘From Glee to
Broadway’, Happy Days raised

?¬3,000 for the Tramway Theatre.

Happy Days School of Performing Arts has classes in
the Swords, Lusk, Ballyboughal, Tallaght and Blessington areas. For more
information, visit www.happydaysdrama.ie