‘Cinderella’ back at Cork Opera House for magical festive extravaganza

The pantomime at Cork Opera House this festive season is Cinderella.

The 69 shows will run from November 30, through Christmas, until January 19.

The fairytale promises to be a spectacle of joy, filled with surprises and a sprinkle of pantomime magic that will leave both young and old believing that dreams do come true.

Cork Opera House CEO, Eibhlín Gleeson, said: “Cork Opera House is thrilled to bring this year’s pantomime production to life with more magic, laughter, and surprises than ever before.

Celebration

“This show is a celebration of creativity, community, and joy: Everything 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 will return to the stage as Cork’s most popular dame, Nanny Nellie. Cinderella will be played by Megan Pottinger, whom audiences may remember as Jill from last year’s hit panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Cork’s own Alison McCormack and Julie Maguire will play the all-singing, all-dancing wicked stepsisters, while Michael Grennell will return to the Opera House stage as Cinderella’s stepmother, Baroness Melania Hardup.

Cinderella’s prince will be played by UK actor 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 on stage is a full cast of professional dancers, musicians, and young talent from Cork’s stage schools.

Magical

Panto director Trevor Ryan urged anyone who loves the festive season to join the cast at the Opera House “for the greatest panto of them all”.

“This laugh-a-minute magical extravaganza will keep audiences both young and old entertained,” he said.

Cork Opera House will also stage two relaxed performances of this year’s panto for those with autism and those with sensory-processing differences.

The panto will run from November 30 to January 19 and performances will take place at 7pm, Tuesday to Friday, 2pm, and 7pm on Saturdays and 1pm and 6pm on Sundays.

• To book tickets, visit https://www.corkoperahouse.ie.