Tipperary Town Pantomime Society thrill audiences with a fantastic show

Treasure Island is an adventure and historical novel by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It was published in 1883, and tells a story of “buccaneers and buried gold” set in the 1700s.

It is considered a coming-of-age story and is noted for its atmosphere, characters, and action. It was first published as a book on 14th of November 1883 by Cassell & Co. It has since become one of the most-often dramatised and adapted novels. Since its publication Treasure Island has significantly influenced depictions of pirates in popular culture, including elements such as deserted tropical islands, treasure maps marked with an “X”, and one-legged seamen with parrots perched on their shoulders.

Well all of those previously mentioned were part of the Tipperary Pantomime Society’s production of Treasure Island which took place in the Excel Centre in Tipperary Town from Wednesday, January 22 to Saturday, January 25. From an original script by the late Paddy Ryan, this year’s production certainly enjoyed all the hallmarks of the famous story of Jim Hawkins, pirate Black Dog and shipmate Billy Bones.

I attended on the Friday night and it immediately brought me back to my days in the Panto and my participation in a previous production, and the inspiration given then by the late Paddy and Danny Ryan. So I eagerly awaited what this production would bring and what fun the “Dame” would bring to the stage. As I waited I could see the orchestra getting ready.

From my time with the late Danny Ryan in control, on this occasion it was the very experienced Pat Marnane as Musical Director and on Keyboards, his wife Fran on Bass Guitar, Mike Fitzpatrick on Guitar and Ray Yrure on Percussion. I very much looked forward to the music in the show and I certainly was not disappointed, as right from the opening my feet were tapping as the chorus belted out some great numbers which was accompanied by some excellent choreography.

I have to compliment the chorus as their vocals were pitch perfect and their dancing was on point and in sync. I am sure that everyone in the production will forgive me in saying that the children stole the show. They were absolutely fantastic!
Their singing and choreography was second to none with beautiful costumes adding to the production. YMCA, Bare Necessities, and Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off, had the audience singing and clapping along, and they brought the house down with their applause at the end of each number. Turning to the production itself, which was in the capable hands of Producer Pat Ryan, Musical Director Pat Marnane and Choreographer Catherine Ryan. They can certainly feel very well pleased with this production.

Act One of the production was based in The Admiral Benbow Inn, A Graveyard on the Cliffs and the Bristol Docks, while Act Two was based on board the Hispaniola, on Mermaid Glade, in Ben Gunn’s Cave and on Treasure Island. The sets were very much in keeping with the story of Treasure Island and compliments to all those involved in settings and scenery, staging, lighting and effects and costuming.

STORYLINE
For any show to be a success there must be a good mix of music to compliment the storyline and certainly this production was not found lacking in that regard. Numbers such as Absolutely Everybody, Amarillo, Irish Rover, I only want to be with You, King of the Swingers, Waterloo and Burning Love, were just some of the great songs that we were treated to.
There were duets like Don’t Go Breaking My Heart from Jim Hawkins (Stephen Stokes) and Polly Silver (Katie Russell) and Stumblin In from Ben Gunn (Hayley Bourke) and Princess Saphira (Alannah Rose Walsh) and solo I A Believer from Jim Hawkins (Stephen Stokes). The script was delivered very well by the cast with very solid performances from the two main principals Jim Hawkins (Stephen Stokes) and Polly Silver (Katie Russell).

Their singing was particularly impressive. Also really impressive were the comedic duo roles of Israel Hans (Lauren Browne) and Nobby Nees (Bart Wawszczyk) and Buttercup (Lorraine Kenneally) and Daisy (Sabrina Cummins). They provided some great gags throughout the performance. Someone with great stage presence was Long John Silver (Sam Ryan), along with a great costume and a parrot on his shoulder! His performance of Heartache Tonight was one of the highlights of the show.

ANTICS
Credit to Captain Billy Bones (Kevin Ryan) for his role and to Squire Trelawney (Abbie O'Dwyer), Dr Livesey (Emily Ryan), Captain Smollet (Caoimhe Sexton), Blind Pew (Kara Price), Ben Gunn (Hayley Bourke) and Princess Saphira (Allanah Rose Walsh) who all did very well in their respective roles. A word of praise also for Billawanga Wu (Ellie Peters) who really looked and played the part very well and Quizmaster (Kayla Gilsenan) who also played her part so well even with the interference of the Dame! Leaving the best wine until last, well what can you say about Dame Henrietta Hawkins (Pat Ryan). Surely one of the best comedic performers that you will see anywhere in the county.

Once again we were treated to some hilarious antics and some great singing such as Hey Baby and Hard Day’s Night, that had the audience joining in and clapping along. To conclude I just want to say thank you to Tipperary Pantomime Society for having me along to their show and to congratulate them on another great production.