One of College’s all-female choirs, the Boydell has been featured in the film adaptation of Claire Keegan’s Orwell Prize-winning book Small Things Like These starring Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh.
Speaking to Trinity News, former Boydell secretary Shona Edge said: “Being involved in this film was one of the most enriching experiences of our time at Trinity, and it has been incredible to see the film.”
Recounting how the choir got involved in the film, Edge noted that the choir’s conductor Lara Brady “was an integral part of [their] musical journey throughout this film”.
The choir got involved with the film when a casting agency contacted the choir in 2023 asking them to send videos singing Hark the Harold Angels Sing and Silent Night.
“Our conductor, Lara Brady, and our librarian, Issy Brady decided to send a video of us singing Silent Night as Gaelige, as we felt it would add to the authentic Irishness of the film,” Edge told Trinity News.
Silent Night, Oíche Chiúin in Irish, was later sung in the film by the choir.
“It was really amazing to have our ideas then translated into the film,” she said, adding that the experience was an “amazing bonding experience” for the group.
Edge also highlighted the importance of the film, which centres around the silence that shrouded the abuse that women experienced in Magdalene Laundries and the impact they had on their communities.
“The movie itself is so powerful and it’s so emotional and I don’t want that aspect to be forgotten,” she said.
“It is important for all aspects of our past to be remembered, light and dark, and this movie does this idea justice.”
“This film shines a light on women who are often forgotten by history,” she added.
Edge was recently able to watch the film which, for her, underscored the fact that “it was just so different to be involved in something like this, something you wouldn’t expect, it just has such a powerful impact on you”.
In her experience filming Edge found that she “could feel the atmosphere that this story was one that needs to be heard”.
Small Things Like These was released in Ireland on November 1st and the Boydell choir is credited as featured extras.
