The scripts have been put down, the costumes are ready, the dance moves are polished up and the Deenside Players are about to put their latest production on stage. Introducing Robinhood Meets Frankenstein as this year’s Castlecomer Pantomime.
Directed by John Coogan the story is set in Sherwood Forest, Nottingham, which is home to Robinhood - played by newcomer Charlie Finnegan. Robinhood’s Merry Men are played by Michael ‘Mousey’ Brennan, Midgy Dowd, Eamon Mealy and Barry Byrne. Their ruler is the very likeable King Richard who is played by Ossie Owens. But as always these Merry Men and their King are not without their enemies. That’s where Prince John steps in (Chubby Brennan ) who has his heart set on taking over his brother’s throne...
The setting for the dramatics is the banks of the River Nile where a plot is being devised to overthrow King Richard by Prince John and his four evil witches - Ellen Stapleton, Michelle Burke, Mary O’Brien and Ann Moylan. Their evil plan thickens when they enlist the help of their very own Frankenstein, who is played by both Bill Boland (little Frankenstein ) and Chris Clancy (big Frankenstein ).
But as with all evil plans they don’t hatch too easily - especially when Dame Lady Loxy (played by John Coogan ), Maid Marion (Niamh Holland ), Queen (Roxanne Byrne ), Sheriff (David O’Rourke ) and the Friar Tuck played by Martin Phelan step in to defend their King.
The Kilkenny Advertiser caught up with pantomime director John Coogan to find out what was in store for audiences in this year’s production.
“This year you can expect plenty of laughs, there isn’t the usual comic pairings on stage that you might have seen in previous productions, but we’ve brought in some new comics along with the old favourites and it works out brilliantly,” said John.
This is John’s fourth year directing the panto but he has played the Dame and been involved with the Deenside Players for years and understands the dedication required to produce a top class show.
“The amount of work that goes into this show each year is immense. We’ve been rehearsing three nights a week in the month leading up to the show and two nights before that. It’s a major production, with full on dance and singing rehearsals along with acting rehearsals. Also the show wouldn’t be a success without the team behind the scenes who work tremendously hard and our sponsors who despite the recession have helped us out again this year,” said John.
Speaking of the singing and dancing John reckons this year is the best ever.
“It’s absolutely fantastic this year, the singing and dancing is amazing and people will really love it. It’s definitely the best I’ve ever seen.” Choosing the cast each year has become more difficult as the interest has increased in recent years according to John.
“There was a time that you’d have to go out and ask people to take part in the show, now they’re lining up for roles, but we do our best to create roles for people even if there wasn’t one in the original script,” said John.
Along with the main cast of 21 people there is a large supporting cast made up of singers and dancers including 100 local children!
Assistant producer Sarah Brennan, choreographer Michelle Wyse, musicians Jimmy Byrne and Ollie Hennessy, set designer Susan Boland have also worked very hard in creating this very exciting production.
Robinhood Meets Frankenstein will take to the stage this Tuesday, January 26, at 8pm in the Castlecomer Community Hall and runs until Sunday, January 31 when there is also a matinee.
Tickets for this year’s panto cost €10 for adults, €6 for children and €5 for OAP’s. Tickets are available at the Castlecomer box office in the Castlecomer Community Hall from 2pm to 4pm daily. Contact 056 4441922 for bookings and further details.
