ANOTHER opening of another show.
That time-honoured show-business anthem is certainly appropriate to the context of the long-running pantomime e tradition in Ramelton. This year’s offering, Jack and the Beanstalk, will be the 70th year of the Pantomime.
The leads, Jack and Sally, will be played by Eleanor Haughey and Maebh Fegan. Dame Trott (no relation to the medical condition) will, of course, be Ramelton’s long-serving man-eater James Friel.
Pumping up the comedy volume will be the legendary Martin Duffy partnered by Catriona McCafferty, as Harum and Scarum. Also providing comedy will be the Eoghan Boyce – Maggie Durning double-act as Daffy (Jack’s brother) and Bertha the milkmaid.
The Giant promises to be a spectacular performance by Dermot Mills, aided and abetted by his sinister henchman, Damian ‘the Demon’ Duffy. Mia Mullin will combat these evil forces as the Fairy Queen.
The multi-talented Johnny Coonan plays the part of the Green Man, keeping his watch over all things in nature. Daisy the cow will be performed by Tom Egan and Johnny Coonan. Daisy could be a show stealer as she has Riverdance on her CV.
The choreography will bear the trademark stamp of Gerald McFadden and Elaine Ferry.
The children’s scene has been in the capable hands of Shirley Boyce, Nicole McDaid, Susan Cullen and Aoife Proctor.
Tony Boyce, Joe Birney, Eilo Boyce, Michael Kinnear, Liam Cullen, Liam Og Cullen, Mick Geever and Christopher Birney have put their shoulders to the wheel to get the show on the road.
Strabane man, Ronan Doherty, has become part of the furniture in the hall since his first time as the pantomime’s musical director in 1992.
The producers are confident that they have a strong show with traditional pantomime values where story is paramount.
It has been a rough winter so do yourself a favour and come out for a wonderful night’s entertainment between Monday, March 23 and Saturday, March 28.
