Castlebar Pantomime
The Wonderful Story of Mother Goose
By Karen Conway
4, Jan 2011 - 08:41

" THE WONDERFUL STORY OF MOTHER GOOSE"!

Mayo's Longest Running Pantomime, Castlebar Pantomime, proudly presents at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, from the 12th to 16th of January its production of "The Wonderful Story of Mother Goose"! Mother Goose who is played by Castlebar Pantomime Dame supremo Walter Donoghue has it all family, friends, Fairyland fairies looking out for her AND a magical golden egg laying goose! Mother Goose lives with her beautiful daughter Jill Goose played by Tara Kelly from Kiltimagh and a lovable son Billy Goose played by David Tobin, originally from Shannon but enjoying his time in Castlebar, in their a humble home in Merrilea. The only shadow on people's happiness in Merrilea is the aptly named Clarence Creep, Squire of Cheatham Hall cleverly played by James Murray from Coarsepark, Castlebar. His brother was the previous Squire of Merrilea but strangely on his death he did not make out a will to protect his son Colin played by Terry O'Hara, from Castlebar, from a life of poverty and by law all rights as a Squire were passed to Clarence Creep. Was this really justice or the work of the conniving Clarence Creep?

Meanwhile in Fairyland Mother Goose is recognised as a poor, hard-working, loving Mother who has been drawn to the attention of the good Fairy Harmony played by Paula O'Neill, originally from Cork and now living in Tourmakeady. However this opinion is not shared by the wicked fairy Discord played by no stranger to the Castlebar Pantomime stage Antoinette Starken, who sets out to prove that mortals do not deserve the fairies blessings! The Fairy Queen, played by Karen Conway from Castlebar, takes up Discords challenge against the goodness of mortals, stating that if Discord can tempt Mother Goose into a selfish life Discord can have her throne but if Discord fails, Discord will be taught a severe lesson! Will Discord succeed or will she fail only to be banished ever more from Fairyland? Or will the Fairy Queen's plan of sending Priscilla the magic Goose to earth, played by Castlebar Pantomime new comer Annie Sheerin, save Mother Goose from the evil fairy Discord?

Clarence Creep intends on evicting Mother Goose from her home with the help of his bungling Bailiffs Sage, played by Castlebar's Philip McDonagh another Castlebar Pantomime veteran, and his side kick Sage played by Breaffy, Castlebar native Joe Maher. However, his plans are hampered by the return of his nephew Colin who also has won the heart of Jill Goose, none of this sits well with Clarence Creep who is in fouler mood than usual. However he is soon distracted with thoughts of obtaining Priscilla the Goose as she makes Mother Goose rich beyond her dreams as she lays golden egg after golden egg. Will Clarence succeed in tricking Mother Goose into believing he cares about her and steal Priscilla the Goose away from her? Or will Mother Goose keep a clear head and see through his deception even though she wants to be loved? As the bad fairy Discord tempts Mother Goose with youthful looks, will Mother Goose realise that these will not make her any more popular or desirable than she already is or will she prove that Fairy Discords claim that "Mortals are selfish and vain" and so win Discord the Fairyland crown?

With a hilarious script, talented actors, dancers, singers and the splendour of the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, plus tickets now on sale, this is one Panto you cannot afford to miss in the Pantomime land of Merrilea and "The Wonderful Story of Mother Goose"! Shows running nightly from Wednesday 12th to Saturday 15th of January at 7.45pm and matinees Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th at 2.45pm. Special rate of €12.00 for all tickets on Wednesday night 12th January. Tickets: Adults €15.00, OAP's, Students, Under 15 years €12.00 and family tickets at €45.00 for two adults and two children. All tickets now on sale at Royal Theatre Box Office, online through www.TheRoyal.ie, by phone on 0818 300 300 or through Usual Outlets. Castlebar Pantomime the original and the best!

Photos of the cast and crew to come!