Several returning faces to feature in Everyman's Christmas panto 

THIS year’s Everyman Christmas Panto is Beauty and the Beast and it kicks-off on Saturday.

Running until January 14, it will feature several returning faces, including one from Australia.

Marion Goggin, studying at Laine Theatre Arts in London, plays Belle in what will be her 14th appearance at The Everyman, while Pádraic Di Fusco stars as the Beast.

Belle embarks on a quest to find her mother. Goggin’s character discovers a castle - think Blarney or Blackrock - paused in time under the powerful spell of an enchanted rose ruled by a terrible beast, Di Fusco.

The award-winning Fionula Linehan will play Belle’s mother Peggy Twomey, a larger-than-life and tea-obsessed woman, while Michael Sands will play the narcissistic Gaston, better known as Gasbag. His sidekick, Johnny La Fool (pronounced Le Fou) will be played by Andrew Lane, who is completing his Masters at MTU Cork School of Music.

Cormac Costello, who has recently returned from Australia after 13 years, will play talking clock, Shandon, in his first appearance at The Everyman.

No stranger to pantos though (The Gaiety Theatre, Cork Opera House, Firkin Crane), audiences will recognise him from hugely successful runs of Bouncers in years gone by.

Youghal native Graham McDermott returns from the UK again this year to play the not-so-bright talking candlestick, Sparky Looney, while Irene Warren features as the infectiously bubbly Barbie.

An ensemble led by choreographer and dance captain Phil O’Callaghan will also feature Chloe Riordan, Leah Hilton, and Jamie O’Leary.

The run will include an audio-described performance with touch tour on Friday, January 5, an ISL-interpreted performance on Saturday, January 6, and a relaxed performance on Sunday, January 14.

Tickets are available from www.everymancork.com. To book tickets for accessible performances, email access@everymancork.com, or call 021 450 1780.