WITH THE yuletide season in full swing it is time once again to relish the annual theatrical treat of the pantomime.
Galway audiences have two to look forward to this season; Performing Arts School Galway’s The Frog Prince and Renmore Pantomime’s Mother Goose.
The Frog Prince
First to open, on Monday December 28 in The Black Box, is PASG’s Frog Prince. What happens when the Frog Prince meets the ‘Woman Who Lives In A Shoe’?
Mammy Maggie is threatened with eviction by the wicked baron and Ferdia is gradually turning green. To break the spell he needs to find a princess quickly. To pay the rent she needs to make some money quickly. Not easy in post budget Ireland! Not only that but Maggie’s lovely daughter is distracting the prince from his mission.
Directed by Jaimie Carswell with a script by Maeve Ingoldsby and choreography by Paula McGurrell, The Frog Prince stars Sean O’Meallaigh, Carla Bredin, Gavin Ferry, Gillian Bogan, with Gill Beatty, Sinead Monaghan, Conor Quinlan, and students of PASG.
An original story based on the old fairy tale, this is the usual mix of fun and fantasy with music, dancing, slapstick, and topical gags. It’s a show for all the family. It runs in The Black Box from Monday December 28 to Sunday January 3. Last year people were turned away from some shows so book early.
Mother Goose
Renmore’s 31st annual pantomime, Mother Goose, runs at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway from Wednesday December 30 to Sunday January 17.
This topical and glittering production has stunning sets, sparkling costumes, dynamic dancing, top of the chart tunes, and hilarity for all the family.
The evil Baxter Banker (Karl O’Doherty ) assisted by his conniving daughter (Edel Fahy ) and two political jokers (Paul Hughes and Liam Brennan ), conspire to have Mother Goose evicted from her cottage so they can develop the site into a super-bank.
Their plans are thwarted when her Magical Goose (Lorna O’Connor ) starts to lay golden eggs. Later, she loses her personal share of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ by exchanging her goose for the chance to become young and beautiful.
However, through many comical and topical twists, the devious Baxter meets his match in the benevolent Fairy Harney (Michelle Glynn ).
Gordon Goose (Declan Gardiner ), the carefree son of Mother Goose, finds romance with Feena Gale (Caoimhe McClafferty ) and Goodness wins the day in the best pantomime tradition.
Scripted by Panto Dame Peter Kennedy, who also plays Mother Goose, it features a host of talented artists, exhilarating dancers, the Power Academy Performers, and the delightful Renmore Smurfs.
The experienced production team includes Adrian Flatley (musical director ), Martha O’Toole (chorus mistress ), Mary McDonagh (choreographer ), Steffen Jorgensen (assistant choreographer ), Donna Creaven (Smurfs’ choreographer ), Len Wright (sets and props ), and Mary Loughnane (costumes ).
This feast of family entertainment is directed by Brian and Seán Power.
Mother Goose runs from December 30 to January 17 nightly at 7.30pm (except December 31 and January 6, 11, 12, and 17 ). There will be matinees at 2.30pm on December 30 and January 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17.
Tickets are available from the Town Hall on 091 - 569777.
