Clara set for panto role in INEC

With Kerry’s first professional Pantomine approaching in January, Fergus Dennehy chatted to one of the stars of the show, Clara Murray, about herself, her career and her feelings about the upcoming show.

THERE’S something big on the way to the INEC in Killarney and Dublin actress and singer, Clara Murray, is only delighted to be a part of it all.

Dublin’s Clara, along with her co-stars Karl Spain (Karl Spain Wants a Woman, and Operation Transformation) and Adam Weafer (Red Rock), will take to the stage in Killarney from January 2 to January 4, 2018.

Clara, who is well known to Irish audiences as a presenter of ‘Twigin’ ‘Singalong’ and ‘Pop Goes the Weekend’ on RTÉ Jr, will add another chapter to her already burgeoning CV by taking part in what will be Kerry’s first ever professional pantomime show, where she will play the feisty heroine, Belle.

Having been involved with the business that is show from one of the earliest ages possible at just three years of age, Clara says that it was only natural that she’d end up in some sort of acting and performance role.

“I started theatre school at the ‘Independent Theatre Workshop’ (ITW) when I was three and this was even before I started primary school!” she laughed, when speaking to The Kerryman newspaper recently.

“I went there up until I was about eight and then I moved house and so I had to go to another place for about two to three years and then would you believe it, I came back to the ITW and now, I actually teach there myself! I’ve come the whole way up and I’m now actually teaching alongside the drama teacher that taught me. It’s a bit surreal at times,” she laughed again.

“I’ve been involved in it so long that it just comes natural to me. Getting up for drama and dancing lessons on a Saturday morning was just something that you did and I just loved it, it never felt like a chore or a something that I was forced to go to. I love it,” she continued.

“I didn’t really start singing lessons until I was about nine or 10 and even at that, they weren’t very intense, it was all just a bit of fun. After this though, as the years went by, I started to take the singing a bit more seriously.”

Clara first rose to national prominence when she secured a job as a presenter on the newly formed RTÉ Jr channel, which was aimed towards the two - six years of age demographic.

Clara says that her career as a presenter with RTÉ has definitely been a big help in helping her to prepare for the upcoming show, saying that the shows that she worked on were aimed towards the younger audiences, which she feels will translate to a great energy on the stage.

“Basically, there was three presenters, myself and two puppets. I was 19 years old and here I was, working directly with two puppets. I worked alongside a puppet called Seamus The Dog and we would just play different games and all that. It was very geared towards the pre-school age group.”

“We did that show for about two years and then I did the show ‘Singalong with Clara’ where I went around to primary schools and creches and sang nursery rhymes with them. We did this for a couple

I’ve never actually done panto before and so it’s a little nerve-wracking. A lot of my friends though have done a few of them and so I’ve seen how much fun they’re having on stage and how great it all is. I can’t wait to experience that myself. Here’s hoping that it all goes well for us!

of weeks around Easter time and that was difficult, but great fun.”

“Back in April and May of this year the, myself and Seamus the pupper

Ahead of the pantomime show in January, Clara says that things are starting to pick up pace, with scripts being sent out in a few weeks time and rehearsals set to begin towards the end of November.

“It’s all getting very exciting now. I can’t wait to get my script so I can find out what songs I’ll be singing and what we’ll all be doing.

“I’ve never actually done a panto before and so it’s a little bit nerve-wracking. A lot of my friends though have done a few of them so I’ve seen how much fun they’re having on stage and how great it is and I can’t wait to experience that myself! I’ve done lots of theatre over the years so hopefully that’ll stand to me. Here’s hoping it all goes well!” she laughed.

With regards to previous performances in Kerry, Clara says that while she’s only ‘performed’ here once or twice, thankfully, they’re all good memories for her.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve ‘ peformed’ in Kerry before but I was down at ‘Listowel Writers Week’ a few years ago with one of the other RTÉ Jr presenters and I did a drama workshop with about 60 kids. I was in this community hall with this really high roof and so the echo was just crazy. I managed though and it was great.”

“The next day then, the other presenter came down and we ended up doing a dance workshop for some of the smaller kids and honestly, that was brilliant. Long may the good performances continue, or at least until January!” she laughed again.

Our conversation is comes to an end soon after this, with Clara rushing off to present a college assignment - another indicator of just how young this incredible and talented performer is.

A preview of the show on the INEC website sees it being hailed as “achingly funny” before going on to describe the rest of the hilarious and talented cast that will be joining Clara.

Karl Spain will play castle keeper, Bertie in the fabulous family pantomime. while Adam Weafer will join the show as the loveable and misunderstood Beast.

Up and coming comedy duo and creators of the hilarious sell out show ‘It’s Wine O’clock’, currently taking Northern Ireland by storm, Teresa McBride and Rozlyn Sheridan will be joining the show as the hilarious Breda and Bridie, dim-witted servants to the Beast who are sure to get up to some hijinks.

Red Rock alumni John Lovett is also on board, adding a sprinkling of fabulousness to the show as he takes on the role of the glamourous Dame Lola while Michael Kiersey will play the selfie obsessed Gaston and Damien Douglas will bring the panto fun factor as his silly but loveable sidekick Gascraic.

Tickets for the January 2 to January 4 production are currently on sale from the INEC box office and they are set to cost just €25 for a single and €80 for a family of four; doors are set to open at 1pm and the show itself is set to start at 2pm.

Keep an eye out in ‘The Kerryman’ over the next few weeks when we will be chatting to both Karl Spain and Adam Weafer about their own upcoming roles in the play.

Don’t miss out!