Group to unleash the beast at the Brockagh

ROUNDWOOD Variety Group is putting the finishing touches to its latest panto ‘Beauty and the Beast’ before the curtain goes up this Friday evening.

The beloved tale of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ centres around the spirited, headstrong village girl Belle as she enters the Beast’s castle. With the help of his enchanted servants, Belle begins to draw the cold-hearted Beast out of his isolation.

The panto features plenty of well-loved characters, including a scary pair of baddies that are up to no good, Scottish gardeners, French butlers, a mad inventor and even a panto horse.

Roundwood Variety Group’s talented cast includes 43 children (ranging in age from eight and upwards) split into two groups.

Sabitha Smith will take on the role of Belle, Ciara Dunne will play the Beast and Daniel Byrne will portray the Prince while Derek Nielsen will play the role of Belle’s father.

Anne McIntyre is the panto director, having worked with the Roundwood group for a few years, while the musical director is Kathryn Boone.

Performances of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ take place at the Brockagh Resource Centre on Friday, January 26, at 8 p.m., Saturday, January 27, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, January 28, at 3 p.m.

Tickets are selling well and still can be purchased from www.roundwoodvarietygroup.com.

The blue chorus group.

Daniel Byrne (Prince Ferdie), Shauna Healy (Betunia), Saibhe Smith (Belle), Sarah Cullen (Betina) and Sinead Doyle (Belinda).

Niall Byrne as Marcel and Karen Kinsella as Mrs Potts.

Ciaran Dunne as Beast and Edel Conalty as the Mayoress.

Rehearsals in full swing ahead of the first show this Friday night.