Tale as old as time will be reinvented in panto of Beauty and the Beast
It’s panto season in New Ross - oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is.
New Ross Pantomime Society will stage its production of Beauty and the Beast - the Panto from January 13 to January 20 at St Michael’s Theatre.
Producer Carmel Rowe said the group has been busy rehearsing since October for the production and are putting the finishing touches to the story which was penned by Wexford man Thomas O’Leary.
‘ This isn’t the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast’, said Carmel. ‘ There is no talking furniture in our version but there are the same characters but using people.
‘ There will also be some Disney songs and a lot of comedy. It is like a traditional panto but we have no dame this year. However our very own Baron played by Joe Malone does a little cross dressing and turns into a fairy!’
Belle is played by Niamh Cullen while Keith Flanagan takes on the role of The Beast.
Belle’s father, Professor Bertram Horacio Benton, played by Barry Ronan, has three daughters, Belle, Bettina (Sam Gibson) and Belinda (Jane McWilliams).
Lovable rogue Billy is played by Sean O’Brien and Baroness Beatrice Bad-Ass is played by Monica Murphy.
Marcel, the Beast’s butler, is played by Mike Foran while Jock and Jessie, the Scottish couple, who work there too are played by Jimmy Smith and Linda Grace Cox.
Sherbert the horse is played by Ger O’Riordan and Steve Carey. Ger also takes on the role of the town’s Mayor.
The show is choreographed by Ann Marie Cooney and the musical director is Seamus Power. Set design is by Mark Hayden who is taking over the role of Terry Brennan who retired recently.
Ray Shannon is involved with the painting of the set.
The panto will be staged nightly from January 13 until Saturday, January 20, at 8 p.m. with three matinee performances at 3 p.m. Tickets costing between €12 and €15 are available from St Michael’s Theatre.