Brimful of laugh out loud antics, song and dance, Portlaoise Pantomime Group’s production of ‘Cinderella’ will run at the Dunamaise Arts Centre from today, January 20, to January 27.
There will be matinee shows at 2pm which will take place on the weekend days.
While the panto will be on at 7.30pm on each evening from January 20 to 27.
Laoise O’Connell is the leading lady while David Walshe is making his panto debut as Prince Charming, aka Harry Styles.
Buttons is played by Rory Chadwick. Emma Phelan has taken on the role of Dandini. Joan White is the baroness. Mutton is played by Richard Mansworth.
John Keyes is Lamb. Humpty McGinty is played by John McEvoy. Haventaclue is Helen Flynn. Askagain is Ciara Dollard. The good fairy is played by Desrae Mullen. Panto veteran, Barry Larkin, is King.
Barry Larkin and Joan White are the only two members of the cast who were in the group’s first show ‘Old King Cole’ in 1985.
Barry has played all sorts of parts down through the years, from an ugly sister to a contrary captain.
Joan White has played the full spectrum of roles. PRO Christy Bannon said: “She once played a cute little nurse, dancing and singing, while trying to keep Barry Larkin in the bed, and stay out of it herself.
“She’s been the bold evil queen and leading lady. Our leading lady this year is none other than her daughter, Laoise O’Connell.”
Christy started on stage in 1999 and did 21 years in a row on stage until a serious work injury stopped his antics but he hopes to make a return.
“There has always been a family link with several families. We’ve had four generations of my family take to the stage now in the panto. My grandfather, Henry Bannon, played the dame in the first show in 1954,” he said.
“The lead role of ‘Dick Whittington’ was played by his sister-in-law, Julia Dooley, my granny’s sister. Then Julia and my granny’s cousin, the late Lena Connolly, nee White, played the leading ladies.
“Lena’s granddaughter, Lisa Connolly, is a member now, and Lena’s daughters would have played leading roles over the years also.
“I grew up backstage really. My father was in the first show with this group back in 1985 but we also made all the sound effects before digital files were even thought about.
“We often blew most of the fuses in the house getting ready for the show. I even got pulled up by the Special Branch in Dublin when I was 15 for going around all the chemists and camera shops looking for the old magnesium flash bulbs.
“They thought I was buying them as detonators for explosive devices,” recalled Christy.
“The late Seán and Mick O’Reilly who played lead roles for decades were also granny and Lena’s first cousins.
“Mick’s granddaughter Shannon O’Reilly-Carroll is a current member, with many of her aunts, uncles and cousins being past members also,” he said.
Picture: Alf Harvey/HRPhoto.ie
“I can remember one show, maybe 20 years ago, where exactly 50 per cent of the cast were all related, and even more when the crew and others were included.
“Another thing we see now is that we have lots of adult members who were in the junior chorus as kids, and may have come back in Transition Year. They often then return as adult members each year.
“My first ever show on stage after many years backstage was ‘Cinderella’ like this year in 1999.
“Playing ‘Cinderella’ opposite me as Buttons was Mairéad Griffin, nee Fennell. Her daughter, Ailbhe, is one of those who came from the junior chorus into Transition Year, and then returned as an adult.”
People new to the country and county have also got involved in the pantomime over the years.
“We’ve had people from Poland, Lithuania, Nigeria and other countries playing roles with us in the past.
“We’re always looking for new members to join, and being a singer or a dancer isn’t a prerequisite. There’s plenty of jobs to do and help out with off the stage, so everyone is welcome,” said Christy.
For anyone looking to banish the January blues, the family comedy, ‘Cinderella’, packed with singing and dancing, is just the ticket.
There are up-to-the-minute jokes for adults and a liberal sprinkling of magic and slapstick for all ages in this classic rags to riches fairy tale that aims to enchant all ages.
Tickets for ‘Cinderella’ are available from the box office at Dunamaise Arts Centre, phone (057) 8663355.
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