Limerick teenager rising with the stars after winning acting award

THEATRE starlet Madeline Blackwell of Bruree, has won the Best Actress Award at The Association of Irish Musical Societies.

Madeline, aged 17, won the award for her performance as Esmeralda in Tipperary Musical Society's The Hunchback of Notre Dame earlier this year.

Elated with winning the renowned award that highly successful actors have won in the past, Madeline said: “It was a really big surprise. I was ecstatic but I couldn't believe it really.”

Not only is Madeline a talented and budding actress, she is also a diligent student in Scoil Pól, Kilfinane.

Alongside her studies, Madeline worked just as diligently in preparing for the role in the musical.

She auditioned in September 2022 and after successfully obtaining the role, she began rehearsals.

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A multitude of performance disciplines had to be mastered in 6 months such as singing, dialogue and dancing.

The performance took place from February 13 to February 18.

“I'm very proud of her,” said Lesley Ann, Madeline's mother, speaking about The Association of Irish Musical Societies' awards event, which took place in Killarney.

Madeline fell in love with acting at a young age, after her mother brought her to see a performance. “She took us to see Wicked, and after that I was like 'I have to do this',” she said.

She began to act in plays in school and ultimately joined the Tipperary Musical Society.

The Tipperary Musical Society won two of the four categories it was nominated for at the awards ceremony, with Derek Ryan winning Best Male Singer alongside Madeline's win of Best Actress.