Baldoyle Musical Society is set to stage Aladdin

IT’S no surprise that a record number of groups and professional companies are putting on Aladdin as their panto production this year.  

The success of the live action movie featuring Will Smith’s scene-stealing turn as the Genie ensured that Aladdin was going to be front and centre this pantomime season. 

And not one to miss out on the zeitgeist, Baldoyle Musical Society’s ever-popular annual production will also be Aladdin.  

The shows will be performed at St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle, over the weekends of January 10-12 and 17-19. 

Matinees start at 2.30pm and evening shows at 7.30pm. 

Tickets are priced at only €13 (€11 for groups and €55 for a family ticket) so patrons are guaranteed great value for money to add to a great night’s entertainment. Book online at www.baldoylemusicalsociety.ie or phone 085-1378329 now to secure your tickets.

Written this year by two of the Society’s younger members, Katie Burrowes and Sinead McCrohan, the script contains some very modern twists and interpretations on the classic Christmas favourite. The youthful exuberance is balanced nicely by the (very) mature hand of Richie Smith at the tiller as director. 

Richie has been featuring, writing and directing pantos in Baldoyle for nearly 40 years and believes the mix of the old and the young will deliver something for everyone this year.

Recent years have seen sell-out runs and patrons are advised to book early to ensure they aren’t disappointed.  

Chairman of Balodyle Musical Society Karl Hoffman said: “The popularity of our panto is unprecedented, with shows booking up very quickly. 

“It’s very difficult every year to turn people away when a show is full, even more so when families turn up without a booking for a performance and can’t get in. So we hope everyone books, and books early!”

Very high production values underpin Baldoyle pantos with significant investment in lights, sound, special effects, costumes and, of course, their famous five-piece live band.  

Choreographer Karen McCourt, who has produced stunning choreography in the last three pantos, was very clear in her assessment of the importance of having live music. 

“Recorded tracks just cannot compete with the atmosphere our live band creates and the energy levels transfer to my dance troupe which really gets the best out of them,” said Karen.  

“I’ve been very pleased with the performances we have delivered in recent years and this year will be at least as good, if not even better.”

So be sure to visit Baldoyle over the next couple of weekends and see what happens when Aladdin and his best friend Alexa meet Princess Jasmine and her ‘besto’ Jay.