It’s panto time and Nicky McCourt is in 25th year as town’s Dame
Anne Campbell talks to local panto stalwart (and the Lilywhites’ biggest fan) Nicky McCourt
NICKY MCCOURT in a dress and wig over the festive period is like turkey and pudding – without these traditions, it doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all.
And the Dundalk Musical Society’s pantomime this year, Cinderella, is particularly special for Nicky, as this is the 25th consecutive year he will don his outrageous make-up and over-the-top dress and make generations of Dundalk people laugh, like he has for the past quarter of a century.
This year also marks a very special year for the society as the panto celebrates its silver jubilee after the panto tradition was revived in Dundalk back in 1993.
Fresh from the success of their recent production of ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ this hard working crew are preparing to tread the boards once again. The show opens on Tuesday, January 10, until Sunday, January 15, nightly, with matinees on Saturday, January 14, and Sunday, January 15, at 2.30pm Featuring an all singing, all dancing chorus of ninety children and young adults whose spectacular routines and dazzling costumes are sure to enchant the young and the young at heart. Under the careful direction of Geraldine Pender who returns to her role and Yasmina Aniss as choreographer, this super talented pair have been putting the cast and chorus through their paces for the past couple of months to make sure the society celebrate this jubilee year in style. Nicky, who is a lifelong dedicated Dundalk FC supporter, had previously been involved with the Dundalk Theatre Guild and, in the 1960s, played a dame in their panto for a few years. It wasn’t until 1993 that Dundalk Musical Society decided to revive the panto format that Nicky was approached again and asked to play a dame. He had no hesitation and has returned to the stage for the role every single year for 25 years. ‘It was always for a bit of fun and when they asked me the first time, I said I would give it a go again and, after it went down very well, I just kept getting involved. ‘ The Dundalk Musical Society’s panto is very much part of the scenery of the festive season in Dundalk and it’s for children and children at heart. Also, it is always very traditional, which I like and there are a lot of young people involved, new people every year, which keeps the talent coming through the society. ‘I love the interaction with the audience and working with the great team at rehearsals every year. I haven’t retired yet after all these years and I’m not thinking about it!’ Nicky is renowned for thinking on his feet, the jokes and funny asides are often off the cuff and based on the people that he’s been told are in the audience. But, he admits, he still gets nervous, even after 25 years. ‘Of course I get nervous before the show, to be honest. Many times I think to myself: ‘What are you doing when you could be sitting on a bar stool relaxing somewhere?’ But I always enjoy it’. Cinderella is a timeless classic and is centred around the beautiful orphan Cinders played by Shannan Glenholmes who has returned following a sabbatical to complete her studies.
Having started as a tiny tot in the panto she has now come through the ranks to take the role of leading lady, a challenge which she is both relishing and excelling in.
Cinders lives in the shadow of her Wicked Stepmother played by the legendary Nicky who keeps her and the audience in their place, and her ugly stepsisters Mimi and YuYu are played by the formidable duo of Paudie Breen and Alan Doherty. Cinder’s only friend in the world is Buttons the house boy, played by Ben Kierans who made his debut with the society earlier this year and is delighted to be part of the cast.
BUT CINDER’S world soon changes after a chance meeting with the handsome Prince Charming played by the very talented Laura McKinley and sidekick Dandini played by Finn Conroy who is sure to have you dancing in the aisles.
Karyn McCooey as the Fairy Godmother sprinkles a little magic dust on this wonderful story and along with Clodagh Gray as Hark the Herald, panto regulars Oliver Hanratty and Jason Kelly as the Palace Guards will keep order and ensure plenty of laughs along the way. But, will Cinders make it to the ball, will true love prevail?
Opening night, at 8pm on Tuesday January 10, the tickets are priced at just €10. Evening performances are €15 while the hugely popular matinees are €12. All are now on sale from the box office at An Táin Arts Centre at www. antain.ie or 042 9332332.