Panto cast get ready for Beauty and the Beast

WEXFORD Pantomime Society will be delighting the crowds at the Dun Mhuire Theatre from Tuesday, January 10 to Sunday, January 15, when Thomas O’Leary’s version of Beauty and the Beast The Panto is brought to the stage.

It’s that time of year again when once upon a time is now and it’s not to be missed.

You can be sure that Thomas’ panto will be nothing like the Disney version. There will be no talking clocks or teapots, but there will be lots of humour and local gags that will appeal to all.

The original story of Beauty and the Beast was written by Madame Leprince de Beaumont in 1757 and the Wexford version, the Panto version is adapted from her original story with a few surprises thrown in along the way.

The cast is Belle – Alannah Corcoran, Billy – Dylan Walsh, Belinda – Sorcha Finn, Bettina – Ana Bates, The Baron – Stephen Byrne, The Baroness – Kellie-Ann Moran, Bertram – Chris Doyle, Marcel – Mick Farrell, Jock – Barry Wadding, Jessie – Ann-Marie Walsh and last but not least The Beast will be played by Neal O’Leary.

Wexford Pantomime Society have been working hard for months on the new panto, which, if insider reports prove to be true, will be one of the best.

Wexford Pantomime’s roots stretch back to the early 1900s when the Franciscan Friars brought the tradition of Pantomime to Wexford. The Friars held Pantomimes in conjunction with the best of local talent for many years in the Theatre Royal up until the foundation of the Opera Festival.

At this point the Pantomime Society moved to its new home in the Dun Mhuire Theatre where it is still held each January.

For ticket and booking details, turn to page 60, or visit www.wexfordpanto.com