All systems go for third annual Christmas panto in Tullamore

By Ger Scully

"JACK and the Beanstalk" – with an Offaly twist – is set to draw in the crowds this Christmas to Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore.

Written by Tullamore Musical Society stalwarts, Colin Hughes and Chris Coroon, the Christmas pantomime runs in Esker Arts from November 29 next to December 14, with matinee performances at weekends. The run also features a sensory production on Tuesday, December 9.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, October 24 at 10am from eskerarts.ie

"Myself and Chris teamed up to write the production and there are lots of local references which will delight audiences," outlined Colin.

Only the third annual pantomime to be staged in the Offaly county town, the production is expected to be a sell-out judging by audience reactions to previous pantos.

Talented thespian, Colin has been performing on stage since he was in national school.

The third generation of his family to be involved with Tullamore Musical Society, Colin starred in Christmas pantos in Dublin for 14 years before returning to his native town in 2023 to stage Tullamore's first ever panto, "Cinderella".

During his time trodding the boards at Dublin's Helix, Colin played leading roles in such pantos as "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Beauty and the Beast".

But it was his dream to stage a panto in Tullamore and allow Midland audiences the chance to sample the delights of the genre without needing to travel to the capital.

"It was always my plan to bring a panto to Tullamore once Esker Arts opened and establish it as a key part of the Christmas scene in the Midlands," explained Colin.

He added: "I knew 'Cinderella' would be a success but it exceeded all my expectations . . . tickets for the 15 shows sold out within just three hours."

Last year's production of "Sleeping Beauty" was also a sell-out with families travelling from all over the Midlands to what is quickly becoming an annual Christmas tradition.

Back by popular demand in the key role of the Dame, "Dolly", is Musical Society stalwart, John Conroy while Colin also stars in the show as does his Musical Society colleague, Aoife Fitzsimons.

Kilcock native, Charlie Reid plays the lead role of "Jack", while the cast numbers over 100 members, both young and old.

Colin's stage career started at Tullamore's St Mary's Youth and Community Centre and his big breakthrough came when he played the leading role of Danny in the centre's production of "Grease".

Following in his family's footsteps, he joined Tullamore Musical Society and first took to the stage in the children's chorus in "Fiddler on the Roof" in the early 1990s, starring in numerous productions since.

Originally published by Offaly Live