It's panto time again

Preparations are well in hand for the Kells Musical and Dramatic Society's action-packed pantomime, 'Mother Goose,' which opens on 30th January. Written and directed by Kells man, John Grant, the 34th annual pantomime will run from Saturday 30th January to Sunday 7th February in the St Vincent De Paul Theatre, Kells. Some fine new talent will be on show in this year's cast of over 60. The society is a very vibrant one which gives new and talented people a chance to perform not only in the annual pantomime but in all other shows during the year. The society loves to welcome new people, which keeps it fresh. Newcomer Diane Mallon (Violet Goose), who makes her debut in this year's show, has a beautiful singing voice. Another actor getting promotion is Stuart Anderson who will play the part of Danny Dimwitt. The audience will be covering their eyes and holding their breath as the wicked and nasty Demon Doomsday (John Grant) flies in to terrorise the village and plague the audience with his evil and nasty plans. The loveable and lively panto dame (Mother Goose) will be played by the one and only Alan Mongey who once again relishes his loud-mouth, wise-cracking, womanly mantle. The hilarious comic team of Paul Rogers and Gary Byrne will play funny men, Squiddles and Diddles, while Sarah Insley plays the role of a spoiled crazed wannabe actress who gets her come-uppence in the end. Kevin McLoughlin gets another lead role as he plays Nedser Goose, the dame's hen-pecked husband. Rosaleen Grant plays a 'hip' fairy who spends every second on stage trying to get a cure for her swine 'flu, but she never seems to get a cure for her sneezes and diseases! Pat Byrne plays Baron Wasteland, who is so mean and selfish he makes Brian Lenihan look like an angel. The star of the show is the delightful, gentle feathered friend to all, Priscilla, the six-foot-tall magical goose, played by Linda Nelson. The leading man is the experienced James Reilly and Sarah Van Zenten gets promoted to her first major role as Queen Goose. Miss Frost will be played by Ruth Anderson and Cecil, the camp high executioner, played by Andrew Quigley, will chop off your head if you don't join in the panto fun! These actors all have great stage presence and a lot of talent and will bring a new dimension to the show. All of the performers have come up through the ranks to take a vital role in the production and, judging by rehearsals, patrons will not be disappointed. Other roles being played are the chorus of village neighbours: Emer Gogorty, Colin McGovern, Anita McGovern, Sarah van Zenten, Ruth Anderson, Gema Heary, Mandy Lawless, Marianne Fuentre, Ben Toal and Brian Dunne. The 10 village children are played by Salomie Riva, Rachel O'Rourke, Dean Thompson, Kevin McCabe, Aoife Dunne, James Farrelly, Ellis Mollison, Sarah Clarke, Emma Matthews and Mikey Kenny. The eight village orphans are Lisa Hamilton, Lauren Thompson, Emma Matthews, Ciara Curran, Erin Mollison, Amy Nelson and Jamie Leigh Feehan, while the 10 demon zombies are: Ellis Mollison, Lauren Thompson, Callum McDonnell, Darren McConnell, Cian Flanagan, Mikey Kenny, Emma Matthews, Jamie Leigh Feehan, Sarah Clarke and Rachel O'Rourke. No show would be complete without dancers, and this year's show is no exception. The dancer troupe from Academy & Agency under the direction of Sheila Garvey have been working very hard and will explode onto the Kells stage to bring top-class dance routines which will enhance the Kells panto yet again. Costumes will be made by the experienced Linda Sheridan, while the stage crew team of Pat Byrne, John Grant, Gary Byrne and Vinnie Ginnity are working away on the sets. Brian O'Neill and Martin Sheridan are busy assembling the lighting. The committee are all working very hard putting in place all aspects of the production under the watchful eye of director, John Grant. The booking office will open from Monday 25th January at 10am in the St Vincent De Paul Theatre, Kells, and bookings can be made by ringing (046) 924 1844. Block bookings are being taken on (087) 207 9557.