It is that time of year again, when the sparkling, all-singing, all-dancing panto comes to stages across the country.
Panto is an enduring part of Christmas, loved by generations of families but can it still deliver to the children of today’s world?
With 70 panto shows planned for Cork Opera House across December and January, and 900 seats to fill for each performance, the team behind
definitely believe it can.
- The Cork Opera House Panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, opens tonight and runs until January 21, 2024. Tickets on sale from corkoperahouse.ie, or call 021 4570022.
This year the Everyman is bringing a tale as old as time to Cork audiences, but with several twists and unexpected turns - in a new production of
.As director and producer Catherine Mahon-Buckley explains, “the script must reflect the era which we live in”. Without giving too much away, you should definitely expect a “Hi, Barbie” moment.
In a little town, somewhere in Cork, Belle dreams of so much more. When she discovers a castle (think Blarney or Blackrock) frozen in time under the spell of an enchanted rose and ruled over by a terrible beast, she must learn to look beyond his appearance if love is to save the day.
Catherine Mahon-Buckley is now in her 29th year of bringing panto magic to Cork:
“One of my proudest professional achievements was creating The Everyman/CADA Panto and watching it flourish year on year. It fills me with so much pride and joy to know that our Panto is now a household name and has become a Christmas tradition with so many families.”
This year, Belle will be played by rising star, Marion Goggin. She is following in the footsteps of Julie Kelleher who played the role 11 years ago.
Julie went on to become the Artistic Director at the Everyman, and is now CEO at the Mermaid Arts Theatre in Wicklow.
Kelleher describes the role as being an inspiration on how she now works: “I learned what it means for cast, band and crew to deliver consistently brilliant performances over the most punishing season of the year - it is a truly towering feat of hard work, and it helped me understand the precious value of every person's contribution to the success of the show. All of those lessons stayed with me in my roles in venue leadership: never lose sight of who the show is for, and remember to take good care of your hardworking teams, whatever their role!”
Marion Goggin has grown up in Pantoland, first setting foot on the stage of the Everyman at the age of just 8. So how does she feel to be taking on the panto season, the rehearsals, the gruelling show schedule?
To Marion, it doesn’t feel overwhelming at all, “I get to do what I love. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Marion is looking forward to playing Belle, a girl who refuses to settle for the world that is presented to her. When princesses are being presented to young girls as role models, Belle is the hero we all want to see.
She fights against expectations and stands up for herself, breaking out of her small-town world and being her own knight in shining armour.
Marion says she understands having to stand up for herself as she jokes about “growing up with three brothers”.
Expect great things from Marion Goggin, she has her sights set on the West End, but Cork, and specifically the Everyman Theatre, is home for now…
The Everyman Panto is delivered by some an incredible team of creatives including musical director of stage and screen, Anth Kaley and Choreographer, Phil O’Callaghan.
- opens on December 2 and runs until January 14 2024.
Theatres across the country are gearing up for panto season, and wherever you are there is a panto near you.
All the firm favourites are in the mix from Aladdin to Treasure Island, so whether you’re a child or young at heart you’ll find lots of fun in this year’s offerings.
Here’s some of what’s on offer.
'Twas the night before Christmas and the air was thick with excitement...
Not least amongst the fairy tale characters who, no longer content with living in the pages of your favourite books, jump up, out and into the real world in The Mac's brand-new family Christmas show,
.
- Tickets: themaclive.com
A GIANT Panto is making its way to Cork Opera House in 2023!
Full of fe-fi-fo-FUN, join Jack, Nanny Nellie and a host of lovable companions in a spectacular show packed with amazing colour, spellbinding costumes, music, breath-taking dance, and a tonne of belly laughs!
- Tickets: corkoperahouse.ie
Cork’s favourite traditional family Panto is back. Oh yes, it is!
In a little town (somewhere in Cork, like!), the beautiful Belle dreams of so much more than her simple life.
When she discovers a castle frozen in time under the spell of an enchanted rose and ruled over by a terrible Beast who was once a handsome prince, she must learn to look beyond his appearance if love is to save the day.
- Tickets: everymancork.com
Jack lives in a lovely little cottage, with his mother and his sister, Sara. They are very poor and are way behind on their rent.
The Wicked Squirel is about to evict them if they can’t pay their rent. Jack’s mother sends him to the local market to sell their only possession – their beloved cow Dave.
On the way to the market, Jack meets two strangers and they convince him to exchange Dave for a bag of magic beans!
- Tickets: glor.ie
This year’s ‘150th’ Gaiety Pantomime is none other than the most loved fairytale of them all…
.Bursting at the seams with Panto antics, song and dance, breath-taking costumes and mesmerising magic, this updated rags-to-riches tale will show us what dreams are really made of.
As always, true love finds a way, and good conquers evil in this enchanting story, because there’s no room for bullies at the ball…
- Tickets: gaietytheatre.com
This year's show,
promises to be as fun, fresh and magical as ever.Creating an exciting new script with plenty of twists, turns and adventure, The Helix Panto promises yet another hilarious production for all the family to enjoy.
Join the cast as they journey through the magical pantosphere of intrigue and adventure!
- Tickets: thehelix.ie
Jump aboard our Magic Carpet and come along for the ride with the Olympia's famous duo, Olly and Polly, who will be joined on stage by the sparkling Genie, and the evil Abanazar.
Expect hilarious banter and spectacular production.
- Tickets: olympiapanto.ie
When the Wicked Witch, Bogzilla, is rejected by King Barney, she transforms him into an ogre and wreaks havoc on his beloved Kingdom. However, all may not be lost.
With enough trickery and charm from an amazing talkative cat and the good services of the kind Fairy Cakes, watch the characters undertake their fight for justice to restore harmony to their haven and save their King.
- Tickets: THT.ie
’s magical carpet ride through genie-us panto bursting at the seams with hilarious characters, dazzling scenery, costumes and of course all your favourite showstoppers!
- Tickets: watergatetheatre.com
The pantomime of your dreams is coming back to Limerick this Christmas.
From the team that brought you last year’s smash hit, sellout show Peter Pan comes this year’s much anticipated University Concert Hall Panto, Sleeping Beauty.
Come together for a show packed with comedy, music, glitz, glamour and a heroine that thinks nothing of nodding off mid-show (we might need to have a word with her!).
- Tickets: UCH.ie
Rapunzel and the League of Princesses is the ultimate girl power story that has never been told before.
Join heroes Rapunzel, Cinderella and Snow White as they team up to rescue their princes and defeat the evil Gothel whose goal it is to destroy all happy ever afters.
This laugh-a-minute adventure is awash with great songs, dances and jokes and features a chorus of 110 local children and an all-star Wexford cast.
- Tickets: nationaloperahouse.ie
Waterford Panto Society wants you to let your hair down this December for the Tangled tale of Rapunzel – never before seen in Waterford.
Once again, the Theatre Royal will become the happiest place to be in Waterford this December.
You’ll get all the usual up-to-date pop songs, laugh-out-loud comedy, slick choreography, sets by Waterford Spraoi, spectacular sound and lighting and a full live band.
- Tickets: theatreroyal.ie