Charity panto – on top of Benbulben!

GET ready for a panto with a difference.

The Sligo University Hospital Musical Society have been entertaining Sligo audiences for over 20 years and this year, they have something really special planned. As Covid-19 hit in 2020 and the effects continued 2021, the group could not put on their annual charity pantomime at the Hawk’s Well Theatre in January. As restrictions have eased and the group get itchy feet, they have decided to produce ‘Panto on the Peak’ where they will perform a mini-Panto on top of Benbulben this Saturday, August 21.

Over 20 of the group will make the climb in costume and perform on top of one of Sligo’s most iconic mountain top.

“We really missed the fun of putting on our annual panto and seeing each other. This year more than any, we all really wanted to get out and perform so group member

Colm Kielty came up with this novel idea,” said Niamh Manly, who is co-director of the annual pantomime with Deirdre Staunton.

“One of the key beneficiaries of the event is Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust (SHOUT) as well as other local good causes. We have raised over €220,000 for local charities over 20 years, so we didn’t want to have a year where no charities benefitted. The climb and performance will be great fun and the public will be able to view it on our Facebook page ‘SGH Panto’ after the event.”

You can expect plenty of fairytale favourites such as Jack & Jill squaring up to the evil Queen Maedhbh. You can get a taste for the action already as there are some fun videos already released on their Facebook page. You can donate online via the PayPal link on the Facebook page or contact any of the cast members.

The cast of Panto on the Peak.