'Beauty and the Beast' opens in Solstice
St Mary's Musical Society is currently staging its 2011 panto production, 'Beauty and the Beast'. 'Beauty and the Beast' tells the story of the dashing Prince Sebastian who, having fallen under the evil witch's spell, is doomed to spend his days in the form of a hideous beast. The Beast (Ronan Walsh) finds himself falling for Belle (Tracy Armstrong) our heroine, who in turn is the love interest of Gaston (Seán Carey) the local hunter who believes himself to be irresistible to all women but Belle. Assisting Gaston in his quest to win the fair maiden Belle is Twat (Barry Kelly), his lovable but bumbling sidekick. Laughs are provided by panto dame Nursey (Ronan Mooney) who relishes the challenge of entertaining the audience with his endless line in wit and banter. Rounding off the front line are servants to the Beast, Nibbles (Catriona McCabe) and Dinks (Eimear Donnelly) and finally Belles father the crazy inventor Maurice (Des Lynch). Living in the shadow of the Beast's dark castle are the pantomime villagers who bring energy and colour to this production with their lively singing and dancing. They are Aoife Kiernan, Fiona Slevin, Eimear Kearns, Alex Hill, Elaine Doyle, Leonie Masterson, Tom Walsh, Helen Sumner, Hugh Hennelly, Deirdre O'Lunaigh, Philip Brady, Leslie Ann Keating, Leah Di Luca, Sarah Heery and Laerke Ladefoged. A large children's chorus completes the line up. Ensuring that the set for Beauty and the Beast is up to its usual high standard is set design and co-ordinator Enda Nugent. Throwing light on the production will be lighting operator Ann Murray. The job of costume co-ordinator is a very important one in any production and Miriam Donnelly will ensure everyone will go on stage looking their best. Make-up design is by Carolyn Clinton and Jacqui McGowan. 'Beauty and the Beast' is directed by Damien Douglas with choreography by Deirdre O'Lunaigh and music by Jacqui McGowan. It runs from 17th to 27th February in the Solstice Arts Centre. Tickets available from the box office on (046) 909 2300. Box office hours are 11am to 4pm.