Kildare's Moat Club marks 43 years with enchanting panto

The Moat Club proudly presents its annual Christmas Panto, Sleeping Beauty, at the Moat Theatre from November 28 to December 13.

Written and directed by Eugene Delaney, this year’s production promises to be their best yet as they celebrate 43 years of magical pantomime.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas… when the Moat Club panto is almost upon us. For many families in Naas, it remains a cherished Christmas tradition.

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This year’s production boasts an impressive ensemble; with 18 characters plus dancers, the stage is set to burst with colourful mayhem in this quirky retelling of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty.

When an evil spell is cast on Princess Perfecta (Freya McGaley, last year’s Little Red Riding Hood) by Scary Fairy (Becky Byrne), a cloud of sadness descends over the whole kingdom.

As if things weren’t bad enough for the King (Padraig Broe) and Queen (Samantha Coventry), a pair of nasty henchmen, Crooked Kevin (Nick Pearson) and Slippery Sam (Michael Broe) hatch a plan to steal all the treasures from the castle.

The side of good is represented by the Miniature Heroes (played by a talented group of children), the Fairies (six zany Godmother aunties), and the hapless security trio Wally (Pat Breslin), Dolly (Anne Delaney) and Holly (Sarah Gallagher), who must pretend to be an award-winning troupe of line dancers to infiltrate the castle and rescue Princess Perfecta.

Will their plan work? Will Perfecta meet her handsome prince (Senán Maguire)? After plenty of silly jokes, dancing, and singing, we’ll find out whether everyone lives happily ever after.

This quirky version of Sleeping Beauty is written and directed by accomplished panto-maestro Eugene Delaney, creator of the iconic Bud and Stella duo. Eugene once again teams up with Katie Conlon for musical direction, with Aine Foley as choreographer.

Don’t miss this beloved Naas institution. Limited tickets are available for Friday 28 November, Thursday December 4, Friday 5, Thursday 11, and Friday 12 at www.moattheatre.com or by calling 045 883030.