Following a 10 year hiatus, PANTO is BACK in BALLINA.

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ballina-wp-admin 22nd November 2023

Oozing with witty one liners, energetic colourful choral scenes, powerful duets and popular solo’s this is local panto at its very best. A ‘first’ for Ballina Dramatic Society – but a perfect opportunity to get back into the post pandemic driving seat.

Having explored several options to re-group and recruit Shane Loftus of BDS felt it necessary to think outside the box and the response to his suggestion of Pantomime has certainly been overwhelming.

Standard ‘off the shelf’ scripts were not sparking any fuses and just when there was a temptation to revert to traditional drama along came a fairy godmother with a cunning plan. Paul Cunningham, director of Ballina Arts Centre had already approached esteemed local panto scripter Elaine Tighe with a view to staging a panto. Elaine together with Carmel Tuffy and Trisha Browne – all members of BDS have previous experience of staging four successful Panto’s in conjunction with Ballina Stephenites Supporters Club. With the clever intervention of an observant Genie – Elaine’s niece Lynda Browne, swiftly brought all interested parties together and hey presto – staging Snow White became a reality.

It was obvious that this project was going to require much more than the core group of Ballina Dramatic Society could offer and following a brief recruitment campaign on social media – they literally came in their droves. The eagerness to take part and get involved not only on stage but in all areas vital to any production was instant. We have gathered an exciting diverse group of creative and talented people of all abilities who beaver away together sketching set designs, making props, learning lines, sourcing costumes, whilst forging new bonds and friendships during weekly rehearsals. Yes – there has been and still is lots of work to get through – lines, dance moves, new songs, costume fittings, voice coaching, mask adjustments, trees to make, a set to construct, lighting cue’s, sound effects etc. and with the support of the Arts Centre and many more – we are on schedule to bring this vivacious witty and fun show to Ballina. We have had to phone a friend or two along the way and keeping with the positive reaction experienced so far – local vocal coach and highly acclaimed in the world of musical theatre herself – Lavinia Gilmartin generously offered her experienced valuable advise – Paddy O’ Hora of Ballina Community Clean up – saved the day when he heard we needed a space to build a set – offers of help arrived weekly and the reality is this is truly a community production that has reached beyond the membership of Ballina Dramatic Society and for us the reward will be evident when we go forward to stage our next production merging new and existing members knowing that our efforts have also supported the ongoing running costs of the Ballina Arts Centre which is without doubt a facility that Ballina is blessed to have.

BDS and Ballina Arts Centre are excited to bring this Panto to the doorsteps of our local community and encourage families to enjoy a typical Christmas tradition. As this show is locally scripted it offers an immediate familiar setting. Based on the Disney classic –Join Ballina’s unique version of Snow White and her friends Delilah & Mary on their exciting journey which starts at the Palace where the Wicked Queen Vainessa constantly seeks affirmation of her beauty from her Magic Mirror – Dazzling Doris. Witness the Queen’s wrath as she dispatches her fierce and burly Henchman- Frenchyto eliminate any threat to her status of the fairest in the land. Watch out for the diamond thieves Magooligoo & his accomplice Thumbs – Sing along with the Dwarfs as off to work they go. Be enthralled as Snow White adapts to her new surrounds deep in the dark forest where she is all alone – or is she? Watch the woodlands come alive with the many unusual friends she meets there and wait with baited breath to see if someday – her Prince His Royal Highness of Crocketstown does indeed find her.