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Ali Baba a big hit in Buncrana
22.01.09
THE Buncrana Pantomime
Society has once again come up with a colourful and
entertaining display of local acting talent…complete
with flamboyant costumes and a vibrant set for this
year’s production - Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
“At any one time there are at least 100 people
backstage,” Willie producer Doherty explained last
week as the atmosphere buzzed in preparation of
another show.
He added: “The cast consists of 60 adults and 120
children, although not all on the same night. The
Pantomime is directed by Nicola McLaughlin from the
town who has graduated this year in speech and
drama.”
There’s no doubting that Willie Doherty has a
passion for Pantomime. He has been involved in the
pantomime since its beginnings back in 1976 when his
brother Neil was the driving force behind the shows.
Neil stepped down in 2007 and Willie stepped into
his brother’s shoes. |
This year is the first
year Willie has produced the pantomime on his own.
Back in May, he had to decide on the story for the
show. It had been eleven years since Buncrana had
put on Ali Baba and he thought it would be a fun one
to do. After he made this decision, he had to find
music to fit each scene.
“Finding appropriate music to add can be a very time
consuming job as it’s important to set the right
mood,” he explains. Auditions then took place and
rehearsals started last September 2008.
With ten minutes before curtain up the seats are
nearly all full apart from the queue at the
well-stocked sweet counter downstairs in the foyer. |
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All of the children are
in costume and waiting patiently.
“We have three groups of children and they play
either Lizards, Nymphs, Ladybirds, Bees or Sun
Fairies,” Willie continues as the cast start to make
their way nearer to the stage.
“Indirectly there are at least 400 people involved
in making this pantomime a reality. We have the
orchestra, production team, costume designers and
sewing team, ushers, set designers and builders,
catering, booking staff, a whole team of unseen
volunteers and of course keepers to look after Mabel
the Camel when she isn’t working!”
Asked if the show makes any money, Willie replied
that it does make a profit and all of the money goes
back into the local parish.
“There is a big restoration job at the Cockhill
Parish church so hopefully most of it will be used
for that,” Willie said.
When asked who decides the cutting jokes for the
Panto he adds that that is a job is left to the two
comedians Eunan McConnell (playing Omar) and Eddie
Murphy (playing Sharif).
“They do a lot of ad-libbing and find out before
hand who is coming to see the show. It depends if
it’s person they can directly joke about or if there
are relations in the audience. No-one is safe but
thankfully everyone who is mentioned takes it well.
Some people even get annoyed if they don’t get a
mention, as there is a certain element of notoriety
about it. It’s a no holes barred event that changes
every day and will include politicians, local
business people or anyone who is known well in the
community.”
With the curtain now about to go up and just before
he gets too distracted, Willie is asked what he
thinks the annual Pantomime brings to the town.
“In this present economic climate and being the
darkest time of the year after Christmas, I think it
gives people a lift and brings a bit of welcome
colour into peoples days. It’s best to put the show
on now although we have been known to run past St
Patrick’s day, but that’s a bit late.”
Willie continues to make jokes as he put on his
microphone to keep in touch with the cast members on
stage. As the curtain goes up, the audience is
clapping and the cast members are all smiling. It’s
easy to see it’s going to be a fun night.
Ali Baba started on the 11th of January and goes on
until the 31st of January. There are 18 shows all
together. Performances start at 8 pm. Matinee
performances on Sundays at 3pm. They have a rest on
Friday and Sunday nights.
(Inishowen Independent) |
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