Rapunuzel - B'sloe Panto's offering this Christmas is not to be missed!

B’sloe Panto are busy putting their own twist on another classic fairy tale, with their 11th annual production of “Rapunzel” set to run in the Town Hall Theatre. This year’s cast features an assortment of Panto staples along with a number of new faces. Following her brilliant performance as Princess Jasmine in last year’s show, Zara Campbell, a 6th year student in Ardscoil Mhuire, is taking on the role of the lass with the luscious locks - Rapunzel. Emma Greally plays the wicked Gothel. She is assisted in her shenanigans by Buboe, played by Panto first timer Tom Cahill. Mike O’Reilly and Kayleigh Holohan take on the roles of Rapunzel’s parents. This is Kayleigh’s first time taking on a principal role in the Panto having been a member of the chorus for a number of previous productions.

Other members of the royal court include Harold, the court jester; and Dame Trott, the King’s cook, played by Panto regulars Pat Vaughan and Louise McEvoy respectively. Gothel enlists the help of two thieves, Quinn and Doyle, played by Ciarán Smyth and Enda McGrath, in her evil quest to take over the kingdom. Aiden Shortall, another Panto newbie, takes on the role of Crevice, the leader of a group of ruffians, who make Rapunzel’s life very difficult. The rest of the rowdy bunch is made up of kids who have taken part in the Panto chorus groups for many years including Koby Campbell, Donal Byrnes, Patrick Hanrahan, Clodagh Dooley, Poppy Farrell, Lily Kearns and Aoife Shortall. Narrating the entire tale, and trying her best to help when she can, is the Fairy, played by 1st year Ardscoil Mhuire student Abaigh Hardiman. Abaigh is no stranger to the Panto stage having taken part since she was six years old and who filled in as So-Shy in a number of last year’s shows.

This year’s production team is made up of some very talented individuals. Ria Purcell, who has been involved with Panto for a number of years now will be choreographing the entire cast of “Rapunzel”. Ria is a very experienced performer and choreographer having worked as a professional singer and dancer in Greece for 10 years before moving home in 2016 to set up her own dance academy, Milkshake Dance & Performance Academy. She has been very busy since the end of September rehearsing several dances with over 180 kids and young people. The accomplished Louise McEvoy, who has directed numerous plays, musicals and pantomimes all over the midlands, takes the helm as director for this year’s show. And last but not least the production crew is rounded off by the extremely talented musical direction of John Roe who is delighted to be working with the Panto cast and crew once again.

The show runs from December 9th to 15th, nightly at 7.30pm with two fancy dress matinees on Saturday and Sunday (December 14th and 15th respectively) at 2.30pm, where both children and adults alike are invited to come in outfits, fit for the Panto stage with prizes for the best dressed! Tickets are available online and from the Panto booking office at J&S Photos on Society Street, drop in or call 090 963 1566 to get yours. They will also be available on the door; however pre-booking is advised.