Castlebar pantomime history 1998-2000
Having spent many an hour on stage learning her own lines, Donna Ruane found herself in 1998 as Producer, having to learn every body else's lines as well. With the help of former Producers Clare Kenny & Marina Rice at her disposal along with Musical Director Finola Higgins-Cosgrove & Choreographer Jason Guthrie, Donna Ruane brought a spectacular version of "Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs" to the stage of the Town Hall. Playing the title role of Snow White was Ann Marie Wilmot who divided her time in 1998 between rehearsals, darts, Johnson Manufacturing & finding her own Prince Charming in the guise of Bucko's Inn Keeper Gerry McDonnell from the Kingdom of Snugboro.
The Seven Dwarfs were played by Thomas Jennings, Jessica Timlin, Ann Staunton, Robert Tuomey, Deborah McConway, Ruth Loftus & Arlene Murphy. Leaving nothing to chance Fergal Joyce was designated as understudy & rose to the occasion when his talents were called on as illness struck the dwarfs. All credit is due to this young talented group of actors who while on stage, including the finale remained completely in character at all times. Sleepy continued to yawn, Grumpy stayed grumpy, Sneezy continued to sneeze....
Marina Rice took to the role of Queen Razeval with such credibility that Denise Roddy, who played Posy, later claimed that she was afraid of Marina while on stage until she got to know her better in the post rehearsal get togethers in Coady's. Perhaps Marina's students of Sancta Maria Convent in Louisburgh have a similar tale to tell. Queen Razeval spent a lot of her time talking to her magic mirror instead of looking into it. Playing one of her more unusual roles as a mirror of all things, was Karen Conway encased in a tall red velvet box, dressed in black with a large scarf covering her head while holding a green light under her face. The effect was intended to be something straight out of Disney, but to the audience it looked more like a green scan of a baby! The visuals may not have been as intended, but courtesy of the talents of Frankie McDonald the sound effects of the mirrors voice booming from every side of the Town Hall were very convincing. Too convincing for some, as a few Parents had to leave the hall with some confused children, as they were frightened by the echoing voice of the scan, I mean mirror(!)
The Seven Dwarfs were played by Thomas Jennings, Jessica Timlin, Ann Staunton, Robert Tuomey, Deborah McConway, Ruth Loftus & Arlene Murphy. Leaving nothing to chance Fergal Joyce was designated as understudy & rose to the occasion when his talents were called on as illness struck the dwarfs. All credit is due to this young talented group of actors who while on stage, including the finale remained completely in character at all times. Sleepy continued to yawn, Grumpy stayed grumpy, Sneezy continued to sneeze....
Marina Rice took to the role of Queen Razeval with such credibility that Denise Roddy, who played Posy, later claimed that she was afraid of Marina while on stage until she got to know her better in the post rehearsal get togethers in Coady's. Perhaps Marina's students of Sancta Maria Convent in Louisburgh have a similar tale to tell. Queen Razeval spent a lot of her time talking to her magic mirror instead of looking into it. Playing one of her more unusual roles as a mirror of all things, was Karen Conway encased in a tall red velvet box, dressed in black with a large scarf covering her head while holding a green light under her face. The effect was intended to be something straight out of Disney, but to the audience it looked more like a green scan of a baby! The visuals may not have been as intended, but courtesy of the talents of Frankie McDonald the sound effects of the mirrors voice booming from every side of the Town Hall were very convincing. Too convincing for some, as a few Parents had to leave the hall with some confused children, as they were frightened by the echoing voice of the scan, I mean mirror(!)
There was a double helping of comedy duos for "Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs" with Sharon Lavelle & Denise Roddy playing hand maids Cosy & Posy & John Gavin along with James Mannion playing the roles of Hairum & Scarum. This quartet's version of "Momma Mia" is one that Castlebar Pantomime will always remember & which the quartet would much prefer to forget! Other memorable performances were provided by Ger Deere as the King of Fairyland with Ann Melvin as his Queen, Mary McHale who appeared as Dame Freznely, Wendy Cotter (left) got to wear one of her own hand made costumes & appeared as Fairy Irene. Walter Donoghue was promoted to royalty as he played Prince Stefan of Colonya (I wonder if that is anywhere near Ballina?) & Padraic Heneghan's title brought him many miles away from his reputation in Ballintubber as he played the role of Baron Weakeneasy. The cast was completed by Darragh McHugh as the Huntsman, Breege Wilkins as the Messenger plus the Senior & Junior Choruses.
Dorothy Gavin found herself in a very quiet house each Monday & Wednesday night as Husband John with children Kayleigh, Rory & Tara all made their way to weekly rehearsals. Not one to be left behind, Dorothy very kindly offered to help out with the Junior members of the Chorus for the week of the show which meant that all the family joined in on the Panto fun for the week. The Gavin bunch won over the entire cast with their talent, good natures & John's dynamite wit. |
A trio who have escaped mention until now have been the musical magicians who are John Flatley on Keyboards, Tom Lyons on Guitar & Sean Burke very capably on drums (right). The antics of the folks on stage have often been overshadowed by the sneakiness of the afore mentioned Panto musicians. It is a little difficult to concentrate on your lines when you see three guys in front of you wearing rubber ducks on their heads or, huge glasses with even bigger eyes on them, P.45's being presented to certain cast members, watching mock walk outs by one or other of the band, being squirted by three water pistols when you are wearing a grass skirt or while trying to sing to music which slows down, speeds up or changes key without any warnings. Pantomime in the Town Hall just would not have been the same with out them & no show is ever complete unless Sean Burke calls in back stage at half time for a chat.
1999 saw "Old Mother Hubbard" being presented as the last Castlebar Pantomime of the 20th Century & the last show to close the doors of the Town Hall as we all knew it. The hall which was annually rented by Pantomime & other groups no longer catered adequately for the needs of those who gathered within its 18th Century walls. The Town Hall experienced few refurbishments since Lord Lucan presented it to the people of Castlebar. The hall was not in the best of health & that year neither was the cast of the Pantomime, Pleurisy, Bronchitis, Flu's, Cold's & Stomach bugs ruled the roost. It was an uncomfortable & uncertain time for all concerned. |
But none of this was evident when the red curtains of the Town hall parted & the cast crawled on. The enthusiasm of Director Donna Ruane, Producer/Choreographer Jason Guthrie, Musical Director Finola Higgins-Cosgrove, Pantomime Committee & Nan Monaghans traditional prayer before the cast went on stage brought everyone together to perform at their very best. A special mention must be made of Ann Melvin (left) who played the role of Dandy the dog completely encompassed from head to toe in an acrylic costume which resulted in many a litre of water being drank by Ann due to the heat of costume & lights as well as a serious weight loss by the end of the week.
Senior & Junior Chorus was kited out as cowboys & Indians with feathers, bows & arrows created by Des Byrne & the Western Care Vocational Training Centre under the guidance of Claire Mason. Stephen Guthrie appeared in the title role of Mother Hubbard with the Brother & Sister team of Brenda & Walter Donoghue as her children Polly & Hughie. In yet another twisting of traditional tales, the Mother Hubbard story as we know it was abandoned when she was evicted & transported to the Wild West by the Good Fairy to search for her long lost Brother who it was hoped would save them from their life of poverty.
Sharon Lavelle & Mary McHale repeated their comedy duo role of "Sinbad" to appear as The Bailiffs. You would not normally find a Good Fairy in a western but seeing as how this is Panto, Ann Marie Wilmott found herself alternating between being an Indian & a fairy quite frequently. Denise Roddy put all her standards as WHB Health Inspector behind her when she appeared as the very rough & ready Old Tumbleweed. Always the good guy, Padraic Heneghan played Tex Laramie who stood up to the baddies played by Michael Rice, John Gavin & Donna Ruane.
Senior & Junior Chorus was kited out as cowboys & Indians with feathers, bows & arrows created by Des Byrne & the Western Care Vocational Training Centre under the guidance of Claire Mason. Stephen Guthrie appeared in the title role of Mother Hubbard with the Brother & Sister team of Brenda & Walter Donoghue as her children Polly & Hughie. In yet another twisting of traditional tales, the Mother Hubbard story as we know it was abandoned when she was evicted & transported to the Wild West by the Good Fairy to search for her long lost Brother who it was hoped would save them from their life of poverty.
Sharon Lavelle & Mary McHale repeated their comedy duo role of "Sinbad" to appear as The Bailiffs. You would not normally find a Good Fairy in a western but seeing as how this is Panto, Ann Marie Wilmott found herself alternating between being an Indian & a fairy quite frequently. Denise Roddy put all her standards as WHB Health Inspector behind her when she appeared as the very rough & ready Old Tumbleweed. Always the good guy, Padraic Heneghan played Tex Laramie who stood up to the baddies played by Michael Rice, John Gavin & Donna Ruane.
Marina Rice clearly enjoyed her role as Saloon owner Miss Lulabelle & many a male member of the audience enjoyed watching Marina & her girls Rowena Gillespie, Jessica McGing, Reineke Smit & Ann Marie Wilmot as they preformed The Can Can (right). Mind you the other dancers in the Chorus Emer Joyce, Mary McIntyre, Orla Quinn, Karen Conway, Kathy Healy, Wendy Cotter & Sharon Lavelle looked pretty good as well as they "danced the night away" in "viva forever". Jason Guthrie & John Tolan could hardly be called pretty but their dancing abilities clearly shone that year, they must have had some line-dancing practice along the way, All-Ireland standard dancing at that! The Indians were represented by Little Deer played by Debbie Lester, her Father Chief Thundercloud played by APC's finest Des Gilsenan with Fergal Joyce as his son Little Drizzle.
The cast was completed by Jimmy Murphy as Major Day & Karen Conway juggling the chorus with appearing as the Medicine Man. Michael Devanney & Anne Kerrigan had moved onto new stages in 1999. Castlebar Pantomime left its traditional home in the Town Hall in January 1999 with high hopes of returning to revamped facilities & a modern stage. Little did we know as we celebrated another successful run of a show that we too would be moving to a new & different stage.
The new Millennium threat of the Y2K virus came & went as well as the hopes of Castlebar Pantomime that the Town Hall would be finished in time for September rehearsals. Enter Pat Jennings who became Pantomimes Fairy Godmother ensuring that the cast did get to the ball. Pat Jennings was no stranger to the Panto scene having appeared in many of the Pantomimes of the '80s which resulted in "Dick Turpin" being presented as the first show of the revamped Royal Theatre in 2000.
The supposedly temporary move was enjoyed as a change of scene, the expanse of stage was enthusiastically welcomed, the sound & lighting possibilities seemed endless, auditions were held & the 15th Anniversary show was on its way. 2000 saw Marina Rice as Director, Jason Guthrie as Choreographer/Producer, John Tolan as Assistant Choreographer & the return of Finola Higgins-Cosgrove as Musical Director.
The cast was completed by Jimmy Murphy as Major Day & Karen Conway juggling the chorus with appearing as the Medicine Man. Michael Devanney & Anne Kerrigan had moved onto new stages in 1999. Castlebar Pantomime left its traditional home in the Town Hall in January 1999 with high hopes of returning to revamped facilities & a modern stage. Little did we know as we celebrated another successful run of a show that we too would be moving to a new & different stage.
The new Millennium threat of the Y2K virus came & went as well as the hopes of Castlebar Pantomime that the Town Hall would be finished in time for September rehearsals. Enter Pat Jennings who became Pantomimes Fairy Godmother ensuring that the cast did get to the ball. Pat Jennings was no stranger to the Panto scene having appeared in many of the Pantomimes of the '80s which resulted in "Dick Turpin" being presented as the first show of the revamped Royal Theatre in 2000.
The supposedly temporary move was enjoyed as a change of scene, the expanse of stage was enthusiastically welcomed, the sound & lighting possibilities seemed endless, auditions were held & the 15th Anniversary show was on its way. 2000 saw Marina Rice as Director, Jason Guthrie as Choreographer/Producer, John Tolan as Assistant Choreographer & the return of Finola Higgins-Cosgrove as Musical Director.
The title role of "Dick Turpin" was played by Panto new comer, the "electric" Bryan Deacy (left). Some where along the line it was decided that Bryan's ginger tresses may not look the part for a dashing highway man. Being a professional he is, Bryan traded his strawberry blonde looks inherited from his Mother Marion to appear as the very tall, darkened & still handsome highway man "Dick Turpin". Appearing as his girlfriend Caroline was Karen Conway who followed the Panto tradition of being kidnapped by the bad guys, resulting in chaos etc. etc. But this was one Panto role where the Damsel in distress was not going to hang around and wait to be rescued.
With the help of Katie Cuddlesome played by Sharon Lavelle, both girls managed to escape from the evil Parson Goodfellow played by Michael Rice & his two henchmen Smash & Grab played by Kilkelly's Aine McAndrew & Ballyvarry's Michael Tolan. Padraic Heneghan studied long & hard to portray a convincing intoxicated judge. While John Gavin had little difficulty in playing the role of Lord Lotaloot - we always knew that John was to the Manor born, a regular Gent at all times. Stephen Guthrie & Ann Melvin played two none too bright constables Nick & Nab. With Denise Roddy playing the role of Dame Dollop complete with the largest chicken drum stick to grace any stage, courtesy of prop master Peter Finn who also appeared as a ghost. Another disguised appearance was made by Fiona Kilbane & Wendy Cotter as Daisy The Cow. Just as well that these two ladies get along well, as no one else that year had to mooooved in unison quite so closely together. Walter Donoghue had a "ripping performance as Billy Bumpkin!" (right) Poor Billy was falsely accused of being Dick Turpin who he impersonated to win the heart of Katie Cuddlesome. In the course of show during a 21st party, Billy Bumpkin discovers that the evil Parson has stolen the jewels which he had Dick Turpin blamed for. While attempting to raise the alarm, Billy is thrown towards the fireplace by the evil Parson. Too many nights of being thrown caused a bit of tension in the seat of Walters costume, which resulted in an unexpected rip in the proceedings. Realising what happened, Walter spent the rest of the scene firmly seated in a chair refused to get off it. Cast on stage realising what had happened chased him around the stage to try & part him from the chair so to reveal his plight to the audience. Walter was having none of it & managed to leave the stage, chair glued to the seat of his ripped trousers & his modesty intact. |