Local talent lights up the Helix panto

A GROUP of Northside school kids who won a ticket to theatrical stardom in Ireland’s only panto boot camp are now lighting up the stage in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Helix Theatre.

The local youngsters were among 200 young hopefuls who were put through their paces at a special panto school this summer.

Only the top talent gets picked to perform and among them are: Chloe Doyle (16) and Caoimhe Joyce Mooney (11) from Finglas; Bobby and Abbie Flannery aged 9 and 11 from Castleknock; Kate Kavanagh (12) and Amelie O’Hanlon (11) of Clonsilla; and Megan Cheevers (11) from Castleknock.

The young stars are now showing their talents on the national stage in Jack and the Beanstalk, which now runs at the Helix Theatre in DCU until January 17.

“Being in the panto makes me feel like I am magic because we make people laugh and smile, and that is so much fun,” said sixth class pupil Megan Cheevers.

Young Caoimhe Joyce Mooney was particularly pleased to be chosen for this year’s cast at The Helix.

“When I heard I’d been picked for the panto I was so thrilled I did cartwheels across the kitchen floor and then jumped up and danced,” said fifth class pupil Caoimhe.

West End heartthrob Niall Sheehy, of Les Miserables and Miss Saigon fame, who plays Jack in the panto believes the talented Northside kids are as good as any to be found on the London stage.

“They are young but really professional and every night they deliver an outstanding performance,” said Niall.

“The youngsters are great to work with too. As Jack I have an axe for the beanstalk which I pretend to wave around backstage in case anyone steps out of line, which they think is hilarious.”

Set in Ballybrutal, a town on its uppers, The Helix Beanstalk takes a rollicking contemporary twist on the magical fairytale.

It’s been a huge hit, with sell-out shows over Christmas leading to an extended run of five extra shows so those who missed out can see it until January 17.

The Northside crew are among 46 children and teenagers aged seven to 16, who have graduated from panto boot camp to becoming a cast member.

“Because there is a limit to the amount of time young people can perform on stage our child star crew is divided into seven teams,” panto co-writer/producer Claire Tighe explained.

“All the children will appear in a selection of shows over our six week run at The Helix.”

Extra shows will now run between January 15-17. Tickets available from www.thehelix.ie