HAPPENINGS: A few Christmas pantos worth checking out

Aladdin at The Helix

TheatreworX Productions return to The Helix this Christmas for yet another panto success with their hilarious adaptation of Aladdin. 

Featuring a mystical genie, a flying carpet and an old lamp, a beautiful princess, irresistible baddies and an exotic trip to the Far East as well as the usual panto antics, it’s one of the best shows in Dublin.

Aladdin runs at The Helix until January 22 with tickets from €19.50. Bookings at www.thehelix.ie or call 01-7007000.

 

‘enTangled’ in Baldoyle 

Baldoyle Musical Society will serve up another Disney-inspired pantomime treat with the premiere of ‘enTangled’ which is being staged at St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle, on the first two weekends in January (6th to 8th and 13th to 15th). 

Tickets are priced at €12 (€10 for groups) so patrons are guaranteed good value for money as well as a great night’s entertainment.  

Phone 085-1378329 to secure tickets or book online at www.baldoylemusicalsociety.ie.

There will be some familiar faces and lots of new ones in a repurposed telling of the Rapunzel fairy tale, with plenty of laughs, thrills, spills and romance in the village of Ballydoyle in the kingdom of Farfaraway.

Patrons are advised to book early to avoid disappointment, as Baldoyle has to turn away bookings every year from people who just leave it too late. You have been warned!

 

Cinderella in Rush 

Rush Dramatic Society and Rush Musical Society are collaborating this Christmas to present a very special production of Cinderella directed by Barry Kavanagh. 

This much-loved story features some familiar performers from both societies with a large group of young local performers taking to the stage to add to the mayhem and madness!

Filled with fun, frolics and festive cheer, Cinderella has something for all the family. Children and adults alike will have a ball, as Cinderella goes to the ball. The Panto runs over three weekends during the festive season from December 16 to January 8.

Standard adult tickets are €15, student and senior citizen tickets €12 and a family ticket (two adults and two children) at only €50. 

Tickets must be paid for in advance, either at the theatre box office or by debit/credit card. Bookings can be made by phoning the Millbank Theatre on 01-8437475, email [email protected] or book online at www.millbanktheatre.com

 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

O’Connell Musical Society will be holding its annual pantomime in January.  

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be staged in St Brigid’s Boys’ National School, Howth Road, on Friday, January 13 (8pm); Saturday, January 14 at 3pm and 8pm; Sunday, January 14 at 3pm; Friday, January 20 at 8pm; Saturday, January 21 at 3pm and 8pm; and Sunday, January 22 at 3pm. Tickets: adults €11, children €7.  For bookings, contact 087-9720272/01-8316433. 

  

The Freezin’ Snowqueen

In this magical pantomime two orphan sisters, Gerda and Gertrud, must defeat the evil snowqueen who has taken over the kingdom.

The evil queen kidnapped Gertrud and brings her to the Ice Palace. Gerta must embark on a perilous journey to defeat the snow queen.

Helping her on her journey is Dame Stuffy Laplander. It’s a fun-filled frosty adventure for all the family.

It’s happening at Axis Ballymun, from January 5-29 at 7.30pm (Thursday to Sunday) and 2.30pm (Sunday). Tickets cost €7 (Thursday) and €10 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).

 

Sleeping Beauty The Panto

A Pantomime for all the family, Sleeping Beauty is a classic fairy tale about a beautiful Princess, an enchanted spinning wheel and a handsome Prince.

The legend that transcends time begins with a christening, a jealous fairy called Magnificent and her evil spell at the Princess’s birthday party.

But there to help is Auntie Dolly Dollar, the Duchess of Dishwater and her ‘friends’!

This is a show full of fun, song, dance and romance all spun together in Coolmine Panto Group’s spectacular production.

It runs at Draoicht Blanchardstown from January 6-22. Tickets cost €20.

 

The Ugly Sisters & Yer Wan 

Al Porter stars as Polly in the Applegreen Christmas Panto ‘The Ugly Sisters & Yer Wan’, The Story of Cinderella which will run at The Olympia Theatre until Sunday, January 8.

Featuring an all-star cast including Dustin the Turkey, Eric Lalor (comedian and actor in Fair City), Ryan Andrews (Fair City), Karl Bowe (Red Rock), Rob Vickers (Les Miserables),  Michaela O’Neill (RTE’s Scorchio), and Kathryn McKiernan (former children’s TV presenter and actress), the show promises to be a spectacular action packed Christmas panto for all the family.

 

Robin Hood and His Merry Men

Extra performances of Robin Hood and His Merry Men, this year’s Gaiety Christmas Panto, have been added due to phenomenal public demand. The show, now running, ends on January 22.

A pantomime extravaganza packed full of merriment with singing, dancing and laughter, join Robin Hood and His Merry Men on their adventures in Sherwood Forest but beware of the evil Sheriff as he greedily collects the ever-growing taxes.

Red Rock’s David Crowley stars as Robin Hood and is joined by legendary panto dame Joe Conlan, who celebrates his 27th year in the industry, as Nanny Knickerbocker Gloria. Kate Gilmore is Maid Marian and Nicholas Grennell, a Gaiety Theatre Panto legend having played over many years chorus member, hero, plays the baddie as Cedric the Sheriff of Snottingham. 

 

Aladdin at The Tivoli

IT’S become one of Ireland’s favourite festive traditions and this year’s Cheerios Panto at Dublin’s Tivoli Theatre is shaping up to be the best yet.

The smash hit panto starring TV3’s Alan Hughes as Sammy Sausages tells the well-loved children’s classic tale, Aladdin, and it’s expected to be another roaring-with-laughter success.

The hilarious Rob Murphy plays the part of ‘Buffy’ while ultimate Big Brother star and TV host Brian Dowling will camp it up as the ‘Genie of the lamp’.

Top model Nadia Forde will take on her first leading panto role to bring Princess Jasmine to life for the family-friendly fun show that runs from December 13 to January 15.

Tickets are already selling fast and are available from Panto.ie or the Tivoli Theatre box-office on 01-4544472.