Panto madness!
A look at just some of the great pantomime shows taking place around the country into the New Year
Beauty and The Beast
DLR Mill Theatre, Dundrum, until January 6 Featuring Evelyn Shaw as Belle, Shane Quigley as the Beast, Matthew O’brien as Gaston with Garry Mountaine as the wonderful Granny Potts. Shows daily at noon, 2pm and 4pm, run-time 1 hour, ages 4 to 12. While you’re in Dundrum, you can also take in Dundrum on Ice. milltheatre.ie, dundrumonice.ie
Snow White
The Cheerios Panto at Tivoli Theatre, Dublin 8, until January 13
Starring the perennial Alan Hughes as Sammy Sausages, X Factor star Mary Byrne, Rob Murphy as Bu y, model Karl Bowe as the Handsome Prince Harry and Ireland’s Got Talent star Paul Ryder, with Joe Du y as the Magic Mirror. This is the last panto in the Tivoli before it is demolished, so make sure to catch it while you can! panto.ie and 01-454 44 72.
Polly and the Magic Lamp
Olympia Theatre, Dublin 2, January 6
This year, the historic Olympia Theatre is home to
Rory Cowan, Fair City’s Ryan Andrews, performer
Jake Carter, Erin Mcgregor (Dancing With The Stars), social media guy James Patrice and Rob Vickers (Les Misérables), in Polly and the Magic Lamp. ticketmaster. ie and Olympia Box O ce at 0818-719 330.
Snow White
University Concert Hall, Limerick, until January 6
Starring Katherine Lynch as the Wicked Queen, with Richie Hayes, Dayl Cronin, David Crowley Myles Breen, Tom O’mahony, John Sharpson, Richard Lynch, Hayley-jo Murphy and Jacqueline Brunton. uch.ie or 061-331 549 #Mirrormirror.
How To Catch A Star
The Ark in Temple Bar, Dublin 2, until December 30
Young people’s theatre group, Branar Téatar do Pháistí, bring their show, based on Oliver Je ers’ book, to the The Ark until the end of December. How to Catch a Star is the delightful story of a little boy who was always looking up into the stars. A perfect festive treat for ages 4+, Tickets: €12.50/€9.50, ark.ie, 01-670 7788.
Sleeping Beauty
Wexford and Killarney until January 5 Fair City stars Aoibheann Mccaul and George Mcmahon join Clara Murray at the National
Opera House Wexford, December 27-30 and INEC Killarney, January 3-5 for Sleeping Beauty. Wexford tickets: nationaloperahouse.ie, 053-912 2400; Killarney tickets: inec.ie, 064-667 1555.
The Greatest Show That Never Was
The RTÉJR Panto. Written by comic Karl Spain and featuring Paddy Courtney, Zainab Boladale, Cillian Sherlock, Jake Carter Rosemary Smith, Alison Meeke, Des Cahill, Teresa Mannion, Donncha O’callaghan, Seamus the Dog, St. Paul’s National School Handbell Group and Ossia Youth Choir. The panto, which will air on RTÉJR, was recorded with a live audience of 500 ticket-winners at the Tommy Leddy Theatre in Drogheda. rte.ie. The show will premiere on RTÉ One on December 23.
Robin Hood
The Helix, Dublin until January 20. Starring Irish tenor Paul Byrom, the December 13 performance is a special charity event with Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, when all proceeds will go towards the hospital’s work. A sensory-friendly performance (with no sudden noises or bangs, softer and brighter lighting, and music at a suitable level) will take place on Tuesday, December 18. Tickets, from €19.50 (booking fees apply) at thehelix.ie and at The Helix Box O ce, call 01-700 7000.
The Snow Queen
Gaiety Theatre, Dublin 2, until January 6 Did you know there’s been a panto at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre every year since 1873? A xture in many families’ Christmas, this year’s show, The Snow Queen, stars West End star Louise Bowden as the Snow Queen, Nicholas Grennell as Jack Frost and once again Joe Conlan as the Panto Dame. Tickets from €19.50 (including booking fee and restoration levy). ticketmaster.ie, or Gaiety Box O ce, 0818-719 388.
Cinderella
The Everyman, Cork, until January 13. Starring Zoe Talbot as Cinderella, Ross Macleod as Prince Charming, Jimmy Brockie as Buttons, Ciarán Bermingham as Fairy Godmother, Fionula Linehan and Michael Sands as Germoline and Chlorine, Michael Ryan as Baron Michael Greene as Dandini and April Kelly Hackett as the Spirit of Gooseland. Young Cork girl, Molly Ward from Mallow, stars as Cinderella. Molly made her TV debut this year as a dancer in the John Lewis Christmas ad. Tickets from €28, family pass (4 tickets) from €100 or on Wonderful Wednesday, December 12 & 19, tickets cost just €20. everymancork.com, box o ce, 021-450 1673.
Jack & The Beanstalk
Mullingar Arts Centre, until December 22 Mullingar Pantomime Group presents Jack & The Beanstalk for 18 performances. mullingarartscentre.ie