‘Beast’ panto is a real beauty!
Members of the pantomime production.
THE annual Portadown pantomime is now behind us (oh, yes it is!) with the Gateway Theatre Group having staged the final night of the 13-show sell-out run at the Town Hall on Saturday.
The story this time was a new one for the Gateway - ‘Beauty and the Best’, the first time that particular show has been performed in the 29-panto run of the Gateway.
It was also produced and directed by a new order - in the form of panto buff and drama teacher Simon Hylands, who introduced many new touches of his own, but still retained the marvellous tradition of his predecessors Nigel Dawson and Millie O’Kasili.
Standing ovations were the order of the nights, and the patrons as ever enjoyed the panto which is professional in every way, except that nobody gets paid!
The Beast was played by newcomer Ruairi McAlinden, and Claire Gorman - playing the good fairy Hyacinth - was also making her Gateway panto debut. At the other end of the scale, Eddie Drury (Nanny Ivy Leaf) was dressing up outrageously for the 10th time in succession, while Deborah Fleming has played a part in all 29 pantos, this being her 12th as choreographer. And Kirsty Fleming (Busy Lizzie) was in her 22nd role.
All in all, it was a superb cast, with Seanny Roberts (Fig Leaf), Daniel May (Narcissus), Hannah Chambers (Rose Blossom), Nadia-Ariana Disndale (Wicked Enchantress), Elaine Hanvey (Mr Blossom), Marie Tiffney (Lord Hawthorne).
Music, of course, plays a major part in ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and Ryan Harris did a wonderful job as musical director, complementing the superb singing and the excellent choregraphy and dancing.
All in all, it was the usual triumph, established over the past three decades, and Saturday’s final night climaxed a show that has made Portadown a really respected centre of the beloved art of the pantomime.
We’re all very proud of the Gateway Theatre Group - oh, yes we are...
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Weather for Portadown
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
