Panto time in Upperchurch!

It's that time of the year again when witches, goblins, heroines, talking plants and singing animals all get going in earnest to brighten up the winter nights with their shenanigans, and dastardly plots are foiled by brave, quick thinking underdogs with the help of a bit of magic from unexpected sources.

All of these will feature in Upperchurch this weekend when the local Upland Players present 'The Bog Queen', a pantomime scripted by Gerry Britt and based on Hans Christian Anderson's story of 'The Ice Queen'.

 

The 50-strong cast includes all age groups and plenty of new faces as well as a few you have seen before. Erin Ryan, fresh from her recent performance at The Source in 'Up The Hill, Jackie', stars as the wicked goblin who starts all the trouble. Leona Ryan and Canice Ryan are even younger performers who can act and sing with the best in their roles as victims of the Bog Queen Marie Murray's evil spells. Eileen Ryan plays their well meaning granny who doesn't appear to have been watching 'Operation Transformation' very often.

 

Other roles include Antoinette Gleeson as a somewhat inept witch, Jodie Kennedy as an equally inept robber girl, Willie Shanahan as a wise old seanchaí, Paul Sheridan as a would-be boy racer and Clodagh Griffin, Martha Ryan and Pakie Purcell as very cheeky flowers. Joanne Woodlock is a crow with an American accent, Sinéad O'Dwyer is a donkey who brays with an Irish accent and Billy Clancy is a would be racing commentator with a resemblance to John McCririck.

 

Keelan Fahey is a regent with a variety of means of locomotion while John Ryan dons his best frock and bonnet to comment on proceedings and keep the cast from slacking.

 

A host of youngsters play the parts of apprentice goblins and timid villagers before bursting into song. Marie Murray and Micheál Bourke are in charge of the music. Julie Treacy is the choreographer while Pat Loughnane again shows his talent and experience as director.

 

The show is in Upperchurch Community Centre this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 27th, 28th and 29th, starting each night at 8pm. No booking is needed. Please note that some strobe lighting will be used in this production.