Pantaloons’ Aladdin show rubs up well with audiences

THE cast of the Pantaloons’ production of Aladdin are keeping audiences both young and old happy this festive season in Glór.

This year, the Ennis-based Pantaloons’ pantomime performers are bringing their own take on Aladdin for their special 10th anniversary production.
Maeve Fox, who plays Minnie Wong, says the show is going down a treat with audiences and that children in particular are getting a real kick out of the excerpts of the show featuring Cinderella and Wishee Washee. “We’ve had audiences of up to 400 each night and so far, both cast and audiences are enjoying the pantomime. We are amazed at how the show is going, to be honest. It is hard work getting the show together but it’s so worth it when audiences enjoy it. Everyone is having a lot of fun, which is what a pantomime is all about,” she commented.
The show sees the evil Abanazer trying to convince Aladdin to enter The Cave and fetch the lamp, as well as Princess Lotus Blossom looking for the boy of her dreams. The cast, including Wishee Washee, transport the audience to Old Pekin for a fun-filled musical adventure that so far has had audiences in stitches.
Maeve said this year the Pantaloons are joined on stage by the BreakThrough Dance Company, a dance school based in Ennis.
“We have about 25 children from BreakThrough joining us for this year’s production and they are brilliant. They have definitely added a new dimension to the show and are very talented dancers. They are also going down a treat with the audiences and have taught us a few new dance moves as well,” she added.
The cast of Aladdin includes Mike Daffy as Wishee Washee, Jonathan Hooper as Aladdin, Ken O’Shaughnessy as Dame Widow Twankey, Paul Cusack as Uncle Abanazer, Emmet Walsh as One Long Pong, Maeve Fox as Minnie Wong, Tina O’Neill as Winnie Wong and Geraldine Saunders as Slave of the Ring.
There are still two performances left of Aladdin, this Thursday at 2.30pm and Sunday at 2.30pm.
Maeve said some tickets will be available at the door for both shows. Tickets are also available from Glór box office on www.glor.ie or 065 6843103.