Great to be back home in Cork for the  panto... oh yes it is!

Cork woman Julie Maguire is looking forward to continuing her life-long tradition of seeing the Opera House panto this Christmas.

Except this year, her take on things will be a little bit different as instead of looking on from the audience, she’s playing a starring role centre stage.

The acclaimed actor from Rathpeacon is one of the all-singing, all-dancing wicked stepsisters in this year’s production of Cinderella.

Julie has been working as an actor for eight years now in a variety of productions and venues including The Abbey Theatre, then the Gaiety, the Lyric Hammersmith and the Cork Opera House, as well as many more.

Based in London since 2018, she usually spends at least half the year working in Ireland and said when the opportunity came up to be part of this year’s panto, she was thrilled to take it.

“Every job is different, and every job brings its own challenges and energy and you’re constantly learning,” she said.

“I hadn’t done panto before, and it’s so different to anything I’ve ever done so really it was a complete no-brainer to say yes.

“I’m getting to create the character, to act, sing and dance – it’s great fun!”

Julie plays evil stepsister Skylar, while fellow Corkonian Alison McCormack plays her sidekick Taylor.

The panto opens for its 69-show run this week and will continue until January 19.

Before the opening, Julie and the other cast members were in rehearsals from 9.30am to 5pm, every day.

“Essentially, it’s a full day’s work and that’s something perhaps that the audience mightn’t realise when they come along, the work that’s gone on behind the scenes to make the show what it is,” she said.

“But it’s all been brilliant so far, such a joyful experience, everyone is full of life and I’m just delighted to see it all come together.”

Julie has three younger sisters and their festive tradition growing up was always to go and see the panto every St Stephen’s night.

“My three-year-old niece Sophia went to her first panto last year and she’s really most excited to see Nanny Nellie again this year, and then me – I’m number two on the list,” laughed Julie.

Panto co-writer Frank Mackey returned to the stage as Nanny Nellie, while Cinderella is played by Megan Pottinger, who audiences may remember as Jill from last year’s hit panto Jack and the Beanstalk.

With the cast often performing two shows daily, lasting the pace for the coming weeks will be crucial.

“As an actor, you build your own ways of making sure you have the stamina that’s needed,” said Julie.

“For me, it’s about getting proper sleep, water, vitamin C, healthy foods, and I also have a special herbal tea that I always drink before a show.

“But, as it’s Christmas, people are always just so excited to be in the Opera House and there’s always a super energy that we can feed off and that keeps us going.”

Cork still very much feels like home for Julie and she’s really appreciating getting to spend three months living with her mum Tilly and dad Frank.

“My sisters and I have all flown the nest but it’s just so gorgeous getting to spend this time back home again, especially at this time of year.

“I’m being totally spoiled and I love it!” she said.

Audiences can expect another typically vibrant and bursting-with-life pantomime this year.

“It has something for everyone. The script is just brilliant.

“I’ve heard the jokes so many times now but I’m still laughing at them and that’s always a good sign!”

MORE ABOUT CINDERELLA

Opening on November 30, Cinderella will dazzle and delight audiences over a 69-show run, until January 19.

Cork Opera House CEO Eibhlín Gleeson says: “Our audiences love about the festive season. Our team has worked tirelessly to create an experience that will delight audiences of all ages, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

Panto co-writer Frank Mackey returns to the stage as Dame, Nanny Nellie. Determined and delightful title heroine Cinderella is played by Megan Pottinger.

Cork’s own Alison McCormack and Julie Maguire are the all-singing, all-dancing Wicked Stepsisters, while Michael Grennell returns to the Opera House stage as Cinderella’s superbly menacing stepmother, Baroness Melania Hardup.

Cinderella’s Prince is played by the dashing Paul Wilkins, and rounding out the cast as everyone’s favourite hapless sidekick Buttons is Blarney’s Brian Ó’Muirí, fresh from his run in the West End production of The Book of Mormon. Joining them all on stage is a full cast of fabulous professional dancers, musicians and the wonderful young talent from Cork’s stage schools.

“I urge anyone who loves the festive season to join us for the greatest panto of them all, Cinderella,” says Panto director, Trevor Ryan.

See corkoperahouse.ie for full listing or ring the box office on 021 4270022.

Tickets: Tickets €25 | €39.50 | €42.50*

Tickets subject to booking fees.

See an interview with Trevor Ryan and Frank Mackey this Friday.