'Oh yes it is!' : Tickets selling fast for Laois town's hilarious annual panto

This March will see the 37th annual pantomime in Rathdowney, an event that has been a fixture in the town from the 1980's.

In Rathdowney, you are either in the panto yourself, or you know someone who is. As a result, the town flocks to the local community centre to show their support over the three nights.

This year's panto will be bigger and better than ever, performing 'A-ladd-in Rathdowney', written and directed by Karen Holohan.

With a cast of over 80 people, ranging from eight to seventy years of age, a great night of laughter and fun is promised.

Pat Keating, PRO of Rathdowney Pantomime Group, has praised the hard work of locals to keep the panto alive for over 37 shows.

Pictured: 'A-ladd-in Rathdowney' by Rathdowney Pantomime Group.

"It's a great thing to have, in a town the size of Rathdowney," Mr Keating told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"I moved to Rathdowney from Galway in the year 2000, and I joined the panto group in 2001. When I came here it was a great way to get to know people, and to get involved locally," he explained.

"I have only missed one or two pantos over the years while my wife was pregnant, I must have been in around 18 different pantos."

"It's a huge amount of work, and I don't know if people realise the amount of work and rehearsing that goes into it," he said.

"We hold our AGM in September, and from then there are meetings each month. Once January kicks in, we are rehearsing for or five nights a week, right up to the show itself," he explained.

Pictured: Rathdowney Pantomime Group rehearsing for this year's show.

"There's a huge amount of work involved, especially from the director Karen Holohan. She writes the script and directs the pantos for the last number of years, Karen and the committees do a great deal of work," Mr Keating said.

The pantos each year combine stories, songs and media in a unique way that leaves the audience 

"If someone asks you what the panto is about, the first response is 'how long have you got'," Mr Keating laughed.

"It's a blend of different stories, and it always works very well," he said.

Pictured: Committee members Lisa Doran, Chloe Martin and Trish Moynan

The Rathdowney Pantomime was originally written and directed by local playwright Micheal Creagh and retired GP Dr Niall Doherty.

The pair wrote and directed over thirty pantomimes, and with the help of talented and dedicated committee members and participants, each pantomime was a huge success. 

"Different committees have formed over the years to keep it still going in Rathdowney, and we're delighted that it's still going strong," Mr Keating said. 

"As soon as you finish one panto, you're on to organising the next one," he explained.

"Be it for set lighting or music, you try to pinpoint a date for the following year's panto. September sees the new committee formed, that's where it really starts," he said.

Pictured: Rehearsals underway for the main event in March

"In January we hold sign up nights for school children, and then it really goes from there until March."

The funny title, 'A-ladd-in Rathdowney', was decided by the committee as a whole.

"We always throw around a few possible titles, and we had two possible titles: 'A-ladd-in Rathdowney', or 'Lamped A-ladd-in Rathdowney," Mr Keating laughed.

"We went with the safer option," he joked.

Rathdowney Pantomime Group are eager to welcome audiences to their shows, promising attendees to 'expect good fun'.

"The kids are always the stars of the show, right from third class up to sixth class, they bring so much enthusiasm and so much energy," Mr Keating said.

Pictured: Rathdowney Pantomime in 2023 

"You will be guaranteed a laugh and good sing-a-long songs, it's a great night out for everyone. On the Sunday the show is at 5:30pm, so it's a great opportunity for kids to go.

"It doesn't just have to be kids from Rathdowney, everyone is invited to the panto. They will get just as much entertainment," Mr Keating promised.

"Get in early, as tickets will sell out very quickly," Mr Keating finished.

The Rathdowney Pantomime Group is chaired by Alex Bowe, with Karen Holohan as secretary, Pat Keating as PRO, and Lisa Doran as treasurer. Other committee members include Trish Moynan, Chloe Martin, Rory Maher and Rebecca Meagher.

'A-ladd-in Rathdowney' will take place in the Rathdowney Community Centre next week from Thursday March 6, to Sunday March 9.

Tickets are now on sale, and are available at www.gr8events.ie, or alternatively at the Community Centre on Thursday and Friday evenings from 7:30pm to 8:30pm.