LIMERICK Panto Society is staging a re-invented Goldilocks for its 2015/6 Christmas at Lime Tree Theatre, ‘Goldilocks – The Circus Panto’, with brilliant character (assassins!) such as Bertie Bagem and Seanie Shootem. Set aside time for razzle-dazzle dance numbers, a Circus pack of clowns and furry four-pawed friends. ‘Goldilocks – The Circus Panto’ will run from December 27 to January 3, typically at 12noon and 4pm.
For further contemporary context, writer John Finn is mining the return of Milk Tray Man as well as austerity severity and water charges.
But from the hubba-hubba at this week’s press launch in Limerick City Inn, there will be bears in plenty, a little house in the woods and giant chorus numbers – Limerick Panto Society’s own chorus numbers 50. Two stage schools are joining in, Expressive Arts and Spotlight, to swell the rank and file on stage to well over 100.
Opening on Sunday December 27 at noon, RTE’s Emma O’Driscoll-Cronin will make a a super-blonde of Goldilocks, with Damian Shaw (the society’s able PRO) as the promised Bertie Bagem. James Corr is Seanie Shootem; Laura Hunt, Madame De Farquotte and Natasha Coughlan is Lulu. Keith McGuane is cast as Hans Treetrimmer the eccentric, while Tim Cusack returns as his 20th or so panto dame, Mrs Headlocks.
As usual, Tony Cusack leads a huge production team embracing stagecraft, lighting, costumes and sound/ music, all of them volunteers. The charity night belongs to Dóchas, working with children and adults on the Autism spectrum, to fundraise for a sensory chill-out room at their Parnell Street HQ.
