Panto season gets underway in Mayo with Wizard of Oz show at Castlebar TF Royal

The annual pantomime season is getting underway in Castlebar as Castlebar Pantomime brings The Wizard of Oz to the stage of the TF Royal Theatre this week.

The production runs from tonight (Thursday) through to Sunday, January 15 to 18, with three evening performances and two matinees scheduled across the four-day run. The night shows take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm, while matinee performances will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm.

Doors open one hour before each show.

Ticket holders are advised to arrive early, as seating is unreserved. Tickets are available online, priced at €22 for adults, €19 for children, and €70 for a family of four, based on two adults and two children.

Audiences can expect a colourful pantomime retelling of the classic story, following Dorothy, a small-town girl from just outside Castlebar, who longs for a life “over the rainbow”. Alongside her Auntie Em, Dorothy is whisked away to another land where they encounter both friendly and not-so-friendly characters on their journey to meet the Wizard.

The production features a large principal cast, selected from almost 200 auditions. Emma Kelly takes on the role of Dorothy, with Francis O’Grady as Auntie Em. Emma Daly appears as Glinda the Good, while Kate Loftus plays Elphaba the Wicked. John Morley stars as the Scarecrow, Andy Hannon as the Tinman and Sabrina McHugh as the Lion.

Organisers say audiences can look forward to a magical experience as the popular family pantomime returns to the Castlebar stage, promising music, colour and plenty of adventure for all ages.

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