Panto season is back, and one Laois pantomime group is excited to welcome new faces to the stage.

For more pictures of Rathdowney's preparations for their upcoming panto, click NEXT or ARROW. More below images.

Rathdowney pantomime will hold their 38th annual show this week, with a brand new script sure to leave locals in stitches.

Each year, Rathdowney's pantos combine stories, songs and media in a unique way that leaves the audience laughing and cheering for more.

This year's pantomime 'Perry's ails and gangster tales' is set during the prohibition era in America, where main character Perry is trying to establish an illegal speakeasy. The panto is an ode to Perry's Brewery, a business that used to be synonymous with the town in days gone by.

Group PRO Pat Keating spoke with the Leinster Express / Laois Live ahead of the event.

"There are several gangs seeing his success and trying to muscle in on his territory, including the Shelbys and Bugsy Malone's cronies," Mr Keating explained.

"This year's script was written by panto secretary Karen Holohan and fellow member Chloe Martin. We're doing something different this year, where the first four scenes are all the children. They are playing the young versions of the adult characters we will see in the later scenes," he revealed.

"The kids are fantastic, they have been giving it a great run and they're loving it. We've spotted them rehearsing dances for other groups along with their own, they're so into it," Mr Keating praised.

"The panto has been running in Rathdowney since the 1980's, everyone in the town expects it and looks forward to it.

"It's great to be back for our 38th show, we are delighted that it is still going strong. We were very happy with last year's attendance, it was great," he said.

"It's all great fun and it's a great way for kids and adults to make friends. Many of the children meet kids from other schools, and they make friends for life."

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. The mantle has since been passed on to its current committee members, with the scripts spearheaded by Karen Holohan.

"We look forward to sharing a tune, dance and a laugh with you all," Mr Keating said.

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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 Chloe Martin and Kevin Walton.

Tickets to this year's pantomime can be purchased in advance from gr8events.ie.