For the past two months there as not only been a lot of talk regarding Castlebar Pantomime’s move to Breaffy Areana, but also of who is playing Goldilocks! The directors of the show Sharon Lavelle and Antoinette Starken have been keeping the identity of the actress under close wraps! And its no good trying to get information out of other cast members or committee. “No Comment” seems to be the new mantra amongst cast and crew!!
“We have a slightly different take on the traditional tale of Goldilocks, and want to keep the element of surprise!” says Sharon and Antoinette “Although, to be fair with our move and new set up, there will be a lot of surprises in this year’s show!” This year sees the show move for the second time in its 31 year history, to Breaffy Arena. After 15 years in the Town Hall, Panto moved to the TF in 2001. Now 15 years on, they are hoping that the move to Breaffy Arena will be another successful move. And the move has also brought a change in the main sponsor of the show, with Murray Ambulances stepping up to the plate.
We caught up with James Murray for a few words. “This year Siobhan and I decided that Murray Ambulance Service would become the main sponsor of Castlebar Pantomime, we are very lucky to be in a position to do this and Castlebar has been very good to us. The pantomime along with the great sporting bodies in Castlebar gives so much to the young and not so young people of the town and county, in the first instance for those that participate in the show it develops confidence and teamwork that will stand to young people no matter what they do in the future or where they do it. It gets you out of the house during the long winter months and the payoff are the shows when we can share all that fun, excitement and laughter with thousands of people at one of the darkest times of the year. All of the committee are volunteers and spend half their lives planning and fundraising so that the show goes on each year, they are the true heroes of the show and very rarely are they seen on stage, but their selflessness is the main reason we sponsor the Pantomime. Of course I wouldn’t be able to do pantomime if it wasn’t for the support of my wife Siobhan and indeed the crew of Murray Ambulance Service. We employ around 35 people and I often wonder what they think of a boss who sometimes dresses up as a Lady and goes on stage in front of maybe 1500 people in a show but I don’t ask, and so far they don’t say! This year I am in one of very best roles in the show, the bad guy, and I am so looking forward to it. However I have one gripe namely who’s playing Goldilocks??? I should know I’m very important you know”
So pop down to the Woods, Breaffy Woods that is, in January 2016 and you will sure to be in with a big surprise!! Go to www.castlebarpanto.com or the Pantomime facebook page for ticket details!
