'Jack and the Beanstalk' climbs to full-house success on opening night in Waterford
Jack and the Beanstalk, the brand new Southeast pantomime, burst onto the stage at the SETU Arena last week, to a packed, full-house audience of 600 and a standing ovation to close the show.
The opening night audience was treated to a high-energy festive adventure packed with colourful sets, dazzling costumes, toe-tapping musical numbers and all the magic audiences expect from a classic panto, with a modern twist.
Towering beanstalks, a fearsome giant, a mischievous villain and plenty of local jokes ensured the laughs came thick and fast from start to finish.
Leading the charge is a star-studded cast headed by Danny O’Carroll, who makes his pantomime debut as Dame Mother Hen.
Known for his role as Buster Brady in Mrs Brown’s Boys, Danny had the audience eating out of his hand with quick-fire comedy, playful improvisation and larger-than-life antics that delighted children and adults alike. At the heart of the production is Waterford’s own Richie Hayes, panto creator and stage star, who returned home to huge cheers on opening night.
Speaking after the show, Richie said: “To see a full house in the SETU Arena on opening night, with families laughing, singing and having the time of their lives, is something I’ll never forget. This panto was created for the Southeast, and the reaction tonight shows just how much love there is for live theatre at Christmas. I couldn’t be prouder of this cast, this crew and this city.”
The cast is completed by a wealth of standout talent, with Evan O’Hanlon leading the adventure in the title role of Jack, bringing his international experience from theatre, television and film back to his native Waterford, including credits with Disney+, Universal Pictures and major pantomimes in Dublin, Limerick and Dubai. Waterford’s Holly Ryan returns home to enchant audiences as the Magical Fairy, drawing on her extensive London theatre career as a performer, teacher and choreographer, while Jamie Drohan, well known to families from his role as the Winterval Mini Express Train Driver, makes his pantomime debut as the warm-hearted Mayor of Deiseville.
Making her professional debut is 19-year-old Alex Kavanagh as Jill, a scholarship-winning musical theatre student whose award-winning performances across Waterford and Wexford have already marked her as a rising star. Completing the line-up, Wexford-born Sharon Clancy brings a commanding presence and theatrical flair to the role of the wicked Baroness Felicia, adding West End polish and deliciously villainous energy to this festive favourite. A company of 45 young performers from local youth theatre groups adds even more sparkle, showcasing the next generation of stage stars from the South East.
