Arts News – Aladdin is next up in the panto season

FOLLOWING the Irish language panto in the Black Box this week, the 33rd annual Renmore pantomime is an updated and hilarious version of Aladdin specially scripted by Panto Dame Peter Kennedy who also plays Widow Twankey. The Musical Director is Shane Farrell from Kilconly, Tuam, while Mary McDonagh from Sligo is Choreographer and Directors are the Galway twins Brian and Seán Power. This glittering show runs at the Town Hall Theatre from December 30 to January 15 with performances at times to suit every age group. Well known local performers sparkle to life in this traditional tale of comical confusion, romantic interludes and of course the evil Abanazar (Donnacha Bushe) trying to outwit our hero Aladdin (Alan Greaney). Sultan Pepper (Jonathan Hopper) threatens to chop off the head of anyone looking at the Princess Jasmine (Aoife Kilbane) as the Emperor's dopey servants, Hokay (Karl O'Doherty) and Cokay (Marcus Wynne) try to maintain law and order. Hoozee (Michael Flanagan), the lovable audience friend, takes a shine to Widow Twankey who is already eying up the Jungle Chief, Ugga Wugga. Lady Googoo (Hannagh McCreanor) gets tired of being a mere lady-in-waiting, so she takes matters into her own hands to seduce the Sultan. The Slave of the Ring (Jenni Flaherty) and the Genie of the Lamp (Declan Gardiner) rejoice in their blissful reunion and a Big Gorilla ensures that the travellers in the jungle live happily ever after. Enjoy the magical world of a flying carpet, a Genie popping out of a rusty lamp and a royal palace exploding. Spectacular dancing, upbeat music and the delightful little Renmore Smurfs all add to this feast of family entertainment. Aladdin runs for 20 performances. There will be matinees (12 noon and 4.30 pm) on Dec 30, Jan 1, 2, 8, 15, matinees (2.30pm) on Dec 31, Jan 7, 14 and shows nightly (7.30 pm) on Jan 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14. Tickets €16/€14, with discounts for groups of ten or more, should be booked at Town Hall Theatre, Galway (091-569777 or www.tht.ie).   Christmas concert at Kennys THE apprentice ensemble, the Chatham Saxophone Quartet, will join the Galway Ensemble in Residence, ConTempo, in a free concert in the Kenny Gallery, Liosban, Tuam Road, on Thursday 15 at 1 pm. The seasonal programme will feature the much loved Corelli Christmas Oratorio, along with well known and less familiar festive music. Although no bookings are required, early arrival is advised.   Cois Cladaigh will sing for IKA THE choir which sang at the inauguration of President Michael D Higgins give their Christmas concert on Saturday December 17 at 8 pm. Cois Cladaigh will perform a selection of Christmas music from Palestrina's Alma Redemptoris Mater to Chanticleer's Christmas Spiritual Medley. They will also sing in Russian and their special guests for the evening will be Coole Harmonies from Gort who will perform two songs with them, O Si Funi Mungu and Pueri Concinite. The concert is in aid of the Irish Kidney Association dedicated to the needs of renal patients, their families and carers. The IKA helps patients and families live as normal a life as possible, given the presence of kidney related illness, and promotes organ donation through the multi-organ donor card. It also provides essential services for renal patients, including counselling, patient aid, holidays and a support centre adjacent to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. The concert takes place in St Nicholas' Church at 8pm.  Tickets on the door, €12 and €10. Folk with a twist for Campbell's QUEEN Elvis will return to Campbell's intimate venue in Cloughanover this Saturday, December 17 to play a large selection of their original songs. Queen Elvis are an alternative folk band but also play a mix of reggae, rock and jazz. They are in the process of recording a new album and have seen their Little World EP get airplay all over the world. Supporting them on the night is the recently formed Frolic Tre. Doors open 9.30 pm.   Brass Band Concert for Simon THIS Friday December 16 at 7:30 pm, St Patrick's Brass Band will be celebrating over 100 years  by holding a concert in St Nicholas' Church, Lombard Street. Tickets are €15/€10 concession with all proceeds going to Galway Simon Community. Founded in 1896, St Patrick's Band is Galway city's oldest band. Today, over 110 years later, St Patrick's Brass Band continues to play and performs concerts for many charitable and voluntary groups. It is delighted to help Galway Simon Community to raise much needed funds in difficult times. Tickets are available from Charlie Byrne's Bookstore (Cornstore Mall, Middle Street), Simon Shop (Sea Road) and Simon Furniture Shop (Briar Hill).