Oh Yes It Is! - Ennis Panto To Go Ahead Despite Sponsorship Concerns

Lightholler

Tickets have gone on sale at Glór Irish Music Centre for this year’s Ennis Panto despite ongoing sponsorship concerns. Pantaloons, the local amateur dramatic society behind the production of ‘Mother Goose’, has confirmed that this year’s performance will open on Wednesday December 27th 2006 and run until Tuesday January 2nd 2007.

Earlier this month, Pantaloons expressed fears that the hugely successful annual pantomime may not go ahead this Christmas due to rising production costs and a lack of sponsorship. However, group Producer Maeve Fox has reassured panto enthusiasts that this year’s show will take place. “We are delighted to announce that the show will be going ahead this year thanks to the overwhelming show of public support following our appeal. Everyone involved has been greatly heartened by positive response we have received in recent weeks. Sadly, we once again face the huge prospect of having to secure funds to cover the expenses associated with such a production”.

Each year, the panto society must raise the necessary funds to secure rights to perform any given show. Additional costs include insurance, advertising, administration, and costume and stage props hire. There is also huge expense associated with maintaining over fifty actors, prop and front of house personnel, musicians, costume designers, and set designers and builders. Last year’s Pantaloons production of ‘Aladdin’ attracted over 5000 people to Glór. This is something that Maeve Fox hopes will be repeated this year. “The money accrued from ticket sales is our main source of raising the necessary funds so it is imperative that we attract similar numbers to last year. Tickets are now on sale at Glór and I am hopeful that the people of Clare will once again show their support by booking their seats. Fun for all the family is guaranteed as this year’s production will be bigger and better than ever before.”

This year's production of ‘Mother Goose’ is based on an exciting new script by Ron Hall. It follows the story of poor Mother Goose who has no money until she stumbles upon a golden egg-laying goose named Pricilla. The Squire - helped by Sammy and Danny - and the Evil Demon each make plans to relieve Mother Goose of her newfound wealth. Will they succeed or will the good and kind Fairy save the day?

Pantaloons’ 6th annual performance will be produced by Maeve Fox and directed by Derek Ryan from Tipperary. The cast includes Paul Curley (Mother Goose), Ken O’Shaughnessy (Demon King), Orla Skeritt (Jill), John Lillis (Colin), Paul Cusack (The Squire), Maeve Fox (Sammy), and Tina O Neill (Danny), along with Geraldine Saunders (Fairy Queen), Sarah Griffin (Goose Girl) and Richard Donnellan.

Pantaloons’ first production was in 2001 when it, under the auspices of the Ennis Musical Society, presented ‘Mother Goose’ at the Holy Family School. Since then it has moved to Glór Irish Music Centre where it has hosted productions of ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Cinderella’, ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. Each year, ‘Sparks School of Hip Hop Dance’ - under the leadership of local dance teacher Lourdes O’Donoghue - assists the panto group.

‘Mother Goose’ takes place at Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Dec 28-30th with matinees also taking place on December 27th and 31st as well as January 1st and 2nd. Tickets are EUR12 for adults and EUR10 for children. Family tickets covering up to two adults and two children are available at EUR40. To book your tickets now call Glór Box Office at 065-6843103 or email boxoffice@glor.ie.

For more information on Pantaloons or for sponsorship enquires contact Maeve Fox, Producer, Pantaloons on pantaloons1@eircom.net or maevefox@yahoo.co.uk.