Billy and Sleeping Beauty – St Mel’s College Theatre – Review
by Brian Merriman

Many roads are leading to ‘Billy and Sleeping Beauty’ in St Mel’s College Theatre in Longford, until January 6th. Packed with local talent and special guests, this panto also adds the ‘star quality’ missing from some other pantos. Dublin’s Panto powerhouse, Damian Douglas (‘Billy’) is loved so well here, that they put his name in the title! Having debuted with panto legend ‘Twink’ and ‘Dustin the Turkey’ in the Olympia, he now finds a deserved and great niche in making this fine stage his home. Billy’s optimism, empathy and comic timing, push the pace continuously throughout the fun-filled action.

‘Billy’ is beautifully aided and abetted by TV star, Mary Byrne and her astonishing vocals as ‘Fairy Mary’. Together, they try to thwart another vocal star, in Valerie Sheils’ ‘Maleficent’.

There is a brand new panto script riddled with topical jokes by writer/director Pat McElwaine. RTE shenanigans get a right roasting in this refreshingly new telling of a much-loved fairytale. There is fresh comedy galore. Billy’s words and music gags were great. Aided by colourful sets and a capacity singing and well costumed dancing chorus from Evolution Stage School, who really know their stuff. With precise and inventive choreography by Tracy Carthy, including a rarely seen tap number, they sing and dance their way through chart and musical hits (MD Paul Hennessy) and are involved all the way through.

Billy’s comic antics are well supported by Arklow’s Sean Hendley (King) and Longford’s Davy Flaherty as a delicious Queen. Love interests fall to a charming ‘Aurora’ by Aoibheann Macken from Cavan and a hugely over-the-top, square-jawed Jordan Bass from Dublin as ‘Prince Ken from Barbieland’.  A special mention too for Longford’s Iarlaith O’Rourke whose ‘Slugface’ rendition of ‘Money Money’, choreographed by Niamh O’Brien was terrific. Vocally, it was such a strong performance all round from a stellar ensemble.

‘Billy’ has a crush on ‘Aurora’ who is nearly 18. We time travel back to her birth and are let in on the secret fate that may await her on her next birthday if magic and ‘Billy’ don’t intervene in a timely manner. This super hard-working company don’t ease up for two and a half hours of fun, music, dancing and energy. The audience lapped it all up and already are looking forward to next year’s production.

Producers Paul Hennessy, Tracy Carthy and Gerry McCann really have the blend right. To see so many accomplished performers from the East Coast, want to perform in Longford and to find their artistic equals locally, brings a terrific team to lead a panto in this town that rivals many in the towns and cities of Ireland.

Billy and Sleeping Beauty
St Mel’s College, various times and dates, runs until January 6th
Duration 150 minutes
Produced by Gerry Mc Cann, Paul Hennessy and Tracy Carthy
Starring Damien Douglas, Mary Byrne, Valerie Sheils, Davy Flaherty, Jordan bass, Sean Hendly, Iarlaith O’Rourke, Aooibheann Macken/Niamh O’Brien, Conor McLoughlin. and the Evolution Stage School.
Written and Directed by Pat McElwaine
Musical Director: Paul Hennessy
Choreography: Tracy Carthy