Panto extended due up popularity

WEXFORD families can’t go to the panto this year so the panto has come to them with Wexford Pantomime Society presenting an online production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk 2 – Locked Down but not out’ which people are enjoying in the comfort of their own homes.

Feedback on the show written and directed by Tom O’Leary with video producer Ted Moran, musical director Vicky Barron and choreographer Suzanne O’Leary, has been so positive that viewing on the Wexford panto website has been extended until the end of the month.

‘We originally had it from January 1 to 3 but we extended that to last Sunday and now we’ve extended it further, for the rest of the month’, said Tom.

‘It seems to be going down really well with everyone. We’ve had some great feedback. We’re getting reports of kids watching it three or four times. We’ve had messages from London, Scotland and Australia from Wexford people who are enjoying the link back with the town.’

‘I think it is just what people needed. It’s been a depressing time with the third lockdown and it’s a boost for everyone. It took a bit of work but it was something we could do and we’re happy to be able to entertain people in these times’, said Tom.

Approximately 3,000 people have viewed it so far with many many watching it more than once and thousands of likes and comments received on Facebook.

The show is free but voluntary donations are encouraged, with 50% of the takings going to Focus Ireland. A sum of €4,000 has been raised so far.

The special lockdown panto features a 100-strong cast of young people who attended virtual rehearsals and learned song lyrics while practising dance routines in their kitchens and sitting rooms and the main roles are played by the leading performers from last year’s panto.

The online production which is proving a big success, features well-known Jack and the Beanstalk characters as they face into lockdown together and includes an entertaining mix of song, dance and topical comedy centred around zoom calls to friends, home-schooling and online exercise.