A Christmas Carol

Christmas Pantomime 2024

28th November - 1st December

God Bless Us, Everyone.

"I will hold you close with a thankful heart."

That's a wrap on A Christmas Carol, Christmas Pantomime 2024!

3 months of singing, dancing and acting rehearsals, countless hours of planning and organisation, and 5 fantastic shows with 1 huge panto family.

First of all, a massive thank you to our fantastic committee for working so hard getting this mammoth show to the stage! The work that is done in preparation for our annual pantomime begins at the start of each year and continues until after the run finishes. It is not always visible to everyone, but I can guarantee that you would be amazed if you saw what goes on behind the scenes! We're very lucky to have such dedicated people running our group.

Congratulations and thank you to each and every one of our huge cast of 52 people (the biggest cast we've ever had) for giving everything you had on the stage and putting on such an amazing show. The energy and joy in this cast was infectious and absolutely bounced off the stage! A big shout out and congratulations to all of our cast members who made their debut for the group. This has been a truly special and unforgettable experience, and it was a pleasure sharing the stage with all of you.

Read more about our cast and production team below.

To our fabulous production team - Director, Caitríona, Musical Director, Colin, Choreographer, Méadhbh, and, for the first time, Assistant Choreographer, Saoirse - thank you so much for your unwavering patience and the massive amount of work you put into every single rehearsal. It wasn't always easy but all of the hard work really paid off!

To Martin, without you there would be no panto! Thank you for trusting us to bring this special script and your vision to life - we hope we did it justice.

To our amazing producer, Amy, thank you so much for the unbelievable amount you did for the show and every person involved in it. Amy thinks of absolutely everything and just gets things done without getting any credit. We are all very grateful to have you looking after us!

A huge thank you to our stage crew, front of house, and band, whose tireless work is not necessarily seen but doesn't go unnoticed.

Thank you to Conor Wilkins and Darren Kelleher & Gary O'Daly for pulling out all the stops for us on the sound and lighting.

 

To all of the local businesses and individuals who provided us with support by way of sponsoring us or donating raffle prizes, thank you. Please give them your support where possible.

A special mention to our main sponsor, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, who have provided us with the Aula Maxima as our venue since our very first Christmas Pantomime in 2001. Without you, we would have nowhere to stage our show and we are extremely grateful for your continuous support.

Finally, thank you so much to our unbelievable audiences. We were thrilled to see so many of you there and to have full houses for most of the run, and we cannot thank you enough for the support! And to top it all off, the noise you made and the reception you gave us with standing ovations for every show was just amazing. We couldn't do these shows without you!!

Check out photos, provided by Mai Bergin, our cast, and our audiences, here.

Bring on 2025!

Keep an eye here on our website, on our social media pages (links below) or sign up to our mailing list, WhatsApp group or WhatsApp channel for all information.

 

The Cast of A Christmas Carol

John FitzGibbon-Moore

Ebenezer Scrooge

MORE... John has been a member of An Nuadha Players since 2002 and has taken part in many of our shows, most recently as Alan Bennett in The Lady in The Van, (2024). Other recent roles John has played include, BlackBeard in 'Sinbad' (2023), Gar Public in ‘Philadelphia Here I Come’ (2022), Chris in ‘All My Sons’ (2019), and multiple roles in ‘Alone it Stands’ (2020 & 2018) with Insight Theatre Celbridge. John teaches Music, Irish and Drama locally in Maynooth Community College where he has also directed three highly successful shows: The Addams Family (2023), Legally Blonde (2024) which won several awards including Best Director, and most recently High School Musical (2024). John is delighted to have the chance to play such a mean and miserable character as Scrooge because he is always such a kind and cheerful person in real life...Oh yes he is... ...Bah Humbug!
PAST SHOWS
Robin Hood (2002), Cinderella (2003), Aladdin (2004), Beauty and the Beast (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), Aladdin (2010), Cinderella (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), Blue Wine (2015), The Snow Queen (2015), Conquered Not We Were (2016), Robin Hood (2016), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Dara Reilly

Young Ebenezer Scrooge

MORE... Dara made his An Nuadha Players debut in 2022 in our Christmas Pantomime, Snow White, where he played the vain ponce, sorry we mean Prince, Egon. Dara has been in numerous shows with The Civic Theatre and Dramatic Action and has a real passion for theatre. He is delighted to be back with An Nuadha Players after the 2023 Christmas panto, Sinbad, where he played the titular character. Dara was also part of the ensemble in our Summer Production of The Lady in the Van earlier this year. Dara can’t wait for everyone to see A Christmas Carol!
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Sam O Shea

Boy Ebenezer Scrooge

MORE... Sam joined An Nuadha Players as one of our fantastic Little People of the Forest (Hanky) in our 2022 Christmas Pantomime, Snow White. Sam is involved in a few groups around the town; he plays GAA and Hurling with Maynooth GAA, Soccer with Maynooth Town FC, swimming with Streamline swim school and he also does hip hop classes with the Peelo School of Dance. Sam has a love of music and drama, he attends piano lessons with Rachel and Speech and Drama with Geraldine and loves the challenge of having pieces ready to a high standard come exam time.
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022) and Sinbad (2023)
John Bean

Charles Dickens

MORE... John has featured regularly in An Nuadha Players’ Pantomimes since 2002 when he played the Sherriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood. Other pantomime roles include Dandini in Cinderella and Abanazar in Aladdin. He played Joxer Daly in Juno and the Paycock and the title role in The Shaughran, also with An Nuadha Players. He played the role of Joseph Barry in Down at Heel Productions’ War of Independence soap drama podcast, Fractured. Most recently, he played the 'older' Alan in The Lady in the Van. He is also a member of North Kildare-based chamber choir Canadh le Chéile. He is excited to be part of the great team bringing this original take on a Christmas classic to the stage.
PAST SHOWS
Robin Hood (2002), Cinderella (2003), Juno and the Paycock (2003), Aladdin (2004), Beauty in the Beast (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), The Shaughran (2007), No Pastry for the King (2008), The 10 Almost 15 Minute History of the Tuatha De Danann (2009), Same Old Moon (2012), The Snow Queen (2015), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Bob Tysall

Bob Cratchit

MORE... Bob got his start in theatre at 15, acting as the Prince in a pantomime production of Little Red Riding Hood with the Clodiagh Players in Clonaslee, Co. Laois. From there he took on a variety of pantomimes and straight plays, with roles including Rodolpho in A View From The Bridge and Severino in Morte E Vida Severina. In college, Bob was an active member of the Drama Society, playing roles like Orestes in Orestes 2.0 and Narrator in Nina In The Morning. Currently he is the Secretary of Insight Theatre Group, Celbridge, with which he has done such great shows as Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Spectre, and The Actor's Nightmare.
PAST SHOWS
Jack and the Beanstalk (2018) and Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019)
Amy Douglas

Florence Cratchit/Core Dancer/Producer

MORE... Amy joined An Nuadha Players in 2003, for the Christmas panto 'Cinderella', as a young teenager excited to be a part of a pantomime ensemble. Since then she’s been involved on and off stage in many productions with An Nuadha Players. She has loved being a core dancer in many shows and thoroughly enjoyed playing a variety of characters over the years in both plays and pantos alike. Amy is passionate about community theatre and highly values the joy it brings to cast and audience members alike, particularly loving to see it within our very talented younger members who she knows will be the bright future of the group. Amy has been an active committee member with An Nuadha Players for 8 years, as secretary in the past, and is currently our esteemed Chairperson. Taking on the role of producer in recent years has been a positive culmination of Amy’s skills- organising, coordinating encouraging and supporting to name a few- and she has thoroughly enjoyed working with such a fantastic, enthusiastic cast and dynamic, supportive production team for ‘A Christmas Carol’. It has been a joy to be part of the show's journey both in the cast and behind the scenes and she is excited to take to the stage with such an amazing bunch!
PAST SHOWS
Cinderella (2003), Aladdin (2004), Beauty in the Beast (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), Cinderella (2008), Aladdin (2010), The Snow Queen (2015), Robin Hood (2016), Cecily (2017), Sleeping Beauty (2017), The Importance of Being Earnest (2018), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), Steel Magnolias (2023), Sinbad (2023), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Amber Heneghan

Martha Cratchit/Core Dancer

MORE... Amber joined the talented community of An Nuadha Players as part of the children’s chorus in the 2017 Christmas pantomime Sleeping Beauty. Amber loves being involved in all aspects of Theatre, especially acting, dancing and singing and is completely at home on the stage. Amber is a Comhaltas member and was a Leinster singer winner at the Fleadh in 2024 and competed for Kildare in the All Ireland Fleadh. Amber complemented her stage skills over the last few years, being involved in school plays, church and school choirs and several stage productions for Dramatic Action and Theatreworx stage schools. Amber was core dancer and chorus member in the 2019, pantomime Beauty and the Beast, and in 2022, in Snow White. In 2023 in Sinbad, Amber shone on the Aula Maxima stage as the leading lady, Mirabel - a role which she treasures the most so far! Amber is thrilled to be cast as Martha Cratchit in this years, A Christmas Carol pantomime and with a stellar cast and super script, it's definitely worth a trip to the Aula Maxima from 28th November - 1st December 2024. OH YES IT IS !!!!
PAST SHOWS
Sleeping Beauty (2017), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Snow White (2022), and Sinbad (2023)
Aoife Dutton

Mabel Cratchit

MORE... Aoife is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. Aoife attended both the George McMahon Performing Arts Academy and also The Peelo School of Ballet for 8 years. During that time, she has performed in productions at The Helix and O'Reilly theatres. She sang soprano in The Children's Choir at the National Concert Hall. Aoife is currently a member of Straffan Drama Club and also attends the Geraldine O'Brien School of Drama. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Aoife!
Sophie Osborne

Belinda Cratchit/Core Dancer

MORE... Sophie is another one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. She is 15 years old and is a member of Sean Gilligan Performing Arts where she trains in all areas of dance, drama & musical theatre. Previous roles include JoJo (Seussical), Matilda (Matilda) & Teen Fiona (Shrek). She has participated in many productions throughout the years on both The Helix stage and with RTE. She is very excited to be playing the role of Belinda Cratchit and wishes all the cast, crew, and production team the very best of luck for the run. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Sophie!
Abbie O Shea

Ada Cratchit

MORE... Abbie joined An Nuadha Players as one of our fantastic Little People of the Forest (Swanky) in our 2022 Christmas Pantomime, Snow White. Abbie loves the stage! She has performed with the Peelo School of Dance in dance recitals in The Helix and has also been in productions with Brennan Performing Arts Agency and Theatreworx. She studies piano and has done Speech and Drama exams. Abbie also loves her sports; she plays soccer, Gaelic football and Camogie, and also loves swimming.
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022) and Sinbad (2023)
Michaela Sanders

Anna Cratchit

MORE... Michaela made her An Nuadha Players debut in last year’s panto, Sinbad, where she was part of the Children’s Chorus. She attended Brennan’s stage school when she was 5. She also loves horse riding and rides at Clonfert Equestrian Maynooth, where her pony Ruby lives
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2023)
Aoife Kirby

Alice Cratchit

MORE... Aoife debuted in 2023 with An Nuadha Players Christmas Pantomime Sinbad, as part of the Children’s Chorus. No stranger to the stage, she has performed in numerous productions with The Peelo School of Dance and Brennan’s Acting & Performing Arts Stage School at DCU’s, The Helix. She has achieved grades in ballet, hip hop and violin. Aoife loves being part of the pantomime family, especially being on stage acting and dancing.
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2023)
Jesse Lorenzo

Tiny Tim

MORE... This is Jesse’s first production with An Nuadha Players, although he has been in the audience supporting his grandparents, aunty and cousins since he was born. He is very excited to play Tiny Tim and is really enjoying rehearsals. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Jesse!
Amelia Brogan

Ghost of Christmas Past

MORE... Amelia is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. Amelia loves singing and dancing and has been attending the An Nuadha Players Christmas panto every year, wishing the years away until she was old enough to audition. Amelia also loves athletics and is always happy while putting on a show. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Amelia!
John O’Toole

Ghost of Christmas Present

MORE... John joined An Nuadha Players in 2012 for our panto Beauty and the Beast as part of the ensemble. Since then, he has been involved in many pantomimes and the odd play with An Nuadha Players, including Dirt Tracks (2013), Cinderella (2013), The Snow Queen (2015), Robin Hood (2016), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019, 2022), Beauty and the Beast (2019) and Sinbad (last year), where he played the roles of King Neptune and the Pirate Goodbeard. He is also a former Committee member. The acting bug bit young; he took up Speech and Drama at the age of 4 until the age of seventeen and, while in secondary school, he was lucky enough to take part in the musicals Oliver, Guys and Dolls and Les Misérables. He also loves to sing, joining various choirs while in education, including the Maynooth University Gospel choir where he embraced their motto of "sing yourself happy". John is also a member of Canadh le Chéile along with many other members of the An Nuadha Players family. He is looking forward to taking part in this year’s panto A Christmas Carol where he will be playing the Ghost of Christmas Present.
PAST SHOWS
Beauty and the Beast (2012), Dirt Tracks (2013), Cinderella (2013), The Snow Queen (2015), Robin Hood (2016), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), and Sinbad (2023)
Méadhbh FitzGibbon Moore

Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come/Core Dancer/Choreographer

MORE... Having debuted by selling sweets (and eating most of them) at the interval of An Nuadha Player’s production of Say Cheese in 2000, Méadhbh has since jumped in and out of Core Dancers, Choreography, and Principle roles. She represented An Nuadha Players on the circuit in 2016, acting in Breathing Lessons (directed and written by the very talented Martina Murphy), and won a Best Actress Award during the festival run. Méadhbh is grateful for all of the different opportunities and learning that An Nuadha Players has given her, and has loved watching everyone in the group developing so much over the years. Méadhbh has also performed in productions with Insight Theatre Group (including The Crucible, Alone It Stands, Positive Dead People), with Down at Heel Productions (Swift & Vanessa, and Fractured) and with Hy-Breasal (The Importance of Warren Tweed). She feels so lucky to be part of such a widely talented and supportive theatre community in North Kildare. Méadhbh teaches art and maths in a secondary school in Tallaght, where she also directs and choreographs the school musical. She loves being able to draw on her background in Art&Design during the multidisciplinary creative process of panto magic! Méadhbh is very excited to be part of another brand new show, written by our wonderful resident Dickens - Martin Higgins, directed by the creative visionary - Caitríona Higgins, produced by Fairy-Godmother and Chairperson - Amy Douglas, and with the musical genius Maestro Colin Sloan as MD. Méadhbh has had the added privilege this year of working alongside the super talented and dedicated Saoirse Colfer as Assistant Choreographer. Méadhbh has loved working with the fantastic cast of this year’s A Christmas Carol. The show is full of heart, acceptance, community and family - everything the group represents! She can’t wait to share the stage with the amazing cast, as we bring the sparkle of Christmas to Maynooth!
PAST SHOWS
Jack and the Beanstalk (2001), Robin Hood (2002), Cinderella (2003), Aladdin (2004), Cinderella (2008), When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet (2008), Cinderella (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), The Hostage (2015), Breathing Lessons (2015), The Snow Queen (2015), Echoes From A Room (2016), Breathing Lessons (2016), Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Positive Dead People (2018), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), and Snow White (2022)
Glen O'Brien

Fred

MORE... Glen is one of our newest members, making his An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. Glen is 17 years old and most recently played Emmet in Maynooth Community College’s production of Legally Blonde in January 2024. His favourite show is Phantom Of The Opera. Glen is excited to be working with An Nuadha Players on our production of A Christmas Carol. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Glen!
Alisha Shiels

Clara

MORE... Alisha had her first show with An Nuadha Players last year playing Twittley in Sinbad. She had an ensemble role in this summer’s production of The Lady In The Van and a role in the play Murder On A Budget with the Kilcock Musical & Dramatic Society. She is delighted to be back for all the Panto fun and is looking forward to working with a stellar cast and crew this year!
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2023) and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Finbarr Coghlan

Jacob Marley

MORE... Finbarr was inducted into An Nuadha Players in 2002, with his “Daughters #1, 2 and 3”, starting with the “Robin Hood” pantomime. He has been involved in numerous pantos, both onstage and backstage, including “Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale”. He also appeared in An Nuadha Players productions such as “The Shaughran”, “Dirt Tracks”, “The Hostage” and “Conquered Not Were We”. With Insight Theatre, Celbridge, Finbarr appeared in some productions, including “Shadow of a Gunman”, “Alone It Stands”, “Our Town” and “Tarry Flynn”. With Lucan Drama, he was in “Winners”, “The Cat and the Moon” and “Don’t Dress for Dinner”. Finbarr is delighted to be in a World-Premiere of such a good show with this talented cast and production team!
PAST SHOWS
Robin Hood (2007), The Shaughran (2007), Cinderella (2008), No Pastry for the King (2008), Aladdin (2010), Sinbad (2011), Beauty and the Beast (2012), Cinderella (2013), Dirt Tracks (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), The Hostage (2015), The Snow Queen (2015), Conquered Not We Were (2016), Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Katie Noone

Fezziwig/Core Dancer

MORE... Katie has been a member of An Nuadha Players since she was a child, appearing in many pantos and as director for the one act play "Blessed Be the Fruit". Katie has appeared with Insight Theatre on two occasions, for “Our Town” and “Alone it Stands”, and as director last year for "Tarry Flynn". In 2021, she toured the one act drama circuit with Lucan Drama’s play “Contractions”.
PAST SHOWS
Robin Hood (2002), Cinderella (2003), Aladdin (2004), Beauty in the Beast (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), Aladdin (2010), The Case of the Count Formerly Known as Dracula (2011), Sinbad (2011), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Blessed Be The Fruit (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Roberta Hines

The MC/Frugal

MORE... Roberta has had a love of performing arts her entire life. She was bitten by the theatre bug at the young age of 11 when she performed as Grumpy in her home town's summer pageant Sleeping Beauty. From there she studied theatre in second and third level and graduated with a minor in theatrical arts from St. Mary's College. Roberta is one of the founding members of An Nuadha Players and has performed and worked on productions with An Nuadha Players since its inception in 1999/2000 and has taken part in yearly pantomimes and past plays. When not performing she can be found making costumes, helping out with set build, and general committee work. She was delighted to play the role of Ouiser Boudreaux in An Nuadha Players' 2023 production of Steel Magnolias.
PAST SHOWS
Jack and the Beanstalk (2001), Robin Hood (2002), Cinderella (2003), Aladdin (2004), Beauty in the Beast (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), Cinderella (2008), No Pastry for the King (2008), The 10 Almost 15 Minute History of the Tuatha De Danann (2009), Aladdin (2010), Sinbad (2011), Beauty and the Beast (2012), Cinderella (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), Steel Magnolias (2023), and Sinbad (2023)
Michelle Walsh

Skinflint

MORE... Michelle has been a member of the group since 2004, when she joined as a pit singer for the 2005 production of Beauty and the Beast. She picked up the nerve to go on stage for the first time in 2006's production of Sinbad, and even had some of the opening lines!! She has been involved in most of the pantos every year since as a member of the chorus. Michelle learnt how to sew from a very young age and went on to study Fashion Design in NCAD, so naturally she has put her skills to good use with her help with costumes. You can guarantee there won't be a thread hanging on stage!! She loves singing and has done so for as long as she can remember. She represented her local GAA club in Scór na N'óg in the solo and group categories for several years with great success. She was the musical director of her local Folkgroup for many years and when she moved to Maynooth, was a member of a number of local singing groups, the most recent one being the local parish Folkgroup from 2005 to 2024. She loves playing the tin whistle, is learning the mandolin and would now say she is the owner of a guitar, having not played it for years!!! She's very excited to be on stage for yet another panto with her Daughter as Clarissa and her Son who is playing in the band, and also with the many friends she has made throughout the years, a true panto family.
PAST SHOWS
Beauty in the Beast (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), Cinderella (2008), Aladdin (2010), Sinbad (2011), Beauty and the Beast (2012), Cinderella (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), The Snow Queen (2015), Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), and Snow White (2022)
Autumn Carey

Tightwad

MORE... Autumn has been with An Nuadha Players since 2006. Over the past 18 years, she has taken part in a wide range of theatrical productions, including roles in the kids' and adult choruses, as well as main dancer and principal roles. Most recently, she enjoyed playing the interviewer in the summer 2024 production of "The Lady in the Van".
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2006), Cinderella (2008), Aladdin (2010), Beauty and the Beast (2012), Robin Hood (2016), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Dara Doherty-Madrigal

Belle/Core Dancer

MORE... Dara has always loved performing and always strove to sing solos in the Maynooth family mass children's choir ever since she could sing, and later joined Brennan Performing Arts for a couple of years where she took part in a production of School of Rock and Sister Act 2. Dara joined An Nuadha Players as Dilly Daw in Jack and the Beanstalk. She has also taken part in other shows with us, such as Beauty and the Beast, Twisted and Snow White. Last year, she couldn't commit to the panto rehearsals, due to preparing for the Leaving Cert, so instead she worked with the stage crew so she could still be part of the fun! This year, Dara is delighted to be able to work again with the wonderful and talented cast and crew of An Nuadha Players and is really looking forward to the show.
PAST SHOWS
Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), and Snow White (2022)
Daisy Ellen Foy

Charity Collector - Hope

MORE... Daisy is another one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. Her hobbies include reading, singing and making jewellery. Daisy is a trainee (Gold Pin) IGG Leader in Maynooth. She comes from a drama background with her Great-Aunt Kay Jordan being an award-winning Playwright. Daisy is homeschooled and hoping to study Forensics. She is no stranger to the stage having been in two ballets (Coppellia and The Wizard Of Oz) and also played "Elsa" in a Homeschool Talent show. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Daisy!
Calina O Shea

Charity Collector - Faith

MORE... Calina has been a member of An Nuadha Players since 2013, when she took on the title role in the Christmas Pantomime, Cinderella. The friendships she has made through this group are very precious to Calina. She also feels very lucky to have performed with all 5 of her children in pantos during the years of being involved with the group. Calina has also performed in musicals with Clane Musical and Dramatic Society (CMDS), where she was lucky to play Carrie in Carousel - one of her favourite ever roles - and Susan in Calamity Jane. As a child Calina performed in the kids chorus in the panto in Dundalk and as a teen in Carrickmacross she played Maid Marion in Robin Hood. She was classically trained in singing growing up with Geraldine Mc Gee, and competed in many feises, including feis ceoil annually. Geraldine really inspired Calina to go on to study music in college. Calina completed all of her Speech and Drama exams under Margaret Casey's tuition and was accepted into Betty Ann Norton's school of acting where she completed a year of performance studies. She feels very lucky to have learned from these three fabulous ladies. Calina has had some really fun roles with An Nuadha Players and it's really since joining the group that her love of being on stage has developed, even though she was seeped in music and acting growing up. Pluc, Lily White and Cinderella are Calina’s 3 favourite characters since joining An Nuadha Players, with last year’s part of Black Bess almost making it into the top 3.
PAST SHOWS
Cinderella (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), The Snow Queen (2015), Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), and Sinbad (2023)
Maria FitzGibbon 

Schoolmistress

MORE... Having been Front of House crew for An Nuadha Players' Pantos for many years, Maria joined the chorus of An Nuadha Players in 2014 for our Panto, Little Red Riding Hood. Since then, she has enjoyed being in Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022) and Snow White (2022). In a return to her Drama education roots (having qualified as a teacher of Physical Education and Drama in a previous life!) Maria enjoyed her part-time studies in The Gaiety School of Acting 2022-2024. She played the part of Mam in our sell out Summer production of "The Lady in the Van" July 2024 which she loved! Maria is delighted to play the part of Schoolmistress and to join the Chorus in this wonderful brand new Panto (written by Martin Higgins) "A Christmas Carol". She says "it is indeed wonderful to be directed by such a talented Production Team....Director, Choreographer, Musical Director and Producer". She is really looking forward to the show.
PAST SHOWS
Little Red Riding Hood (2014), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Mishika Kalegowda

Dorothy

MORE... Mishika is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. Mishika has been part of Brennan's Acting Agency in Maynooth. She has been part of 3 stage shows so far. She is a big fan of American Reality show Dance Moms. One day she wants to be in Broadway and Hollywood. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Mishika!
Willow Heneghan

Jane

MORE... Willow joined An Nuadha Players, as one of our fantastic Little People of the Forest (Clanky) in the 2022 pantomime production of Snow White and has also been in Sinbad. Willow loves all sports and is part of the junior orchestra in school. Willow is really excited to be taking to the stage with a fabulous cast and her talented siblings, in A Christmas Carol and her dream is to have a principal role in the future.
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022) and Sinbad (2023)
Charlie Morrissey

Tom

MORE... Charlie is another one of our newest members, making his An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. Charlie is 8 years old and, as well as debuting with us, this will be his first appearance on stage. Having watched the last two Christmas pantos, Charlie was eager to take part and is delighted to take on the part as Tom and the young boy in the last scene. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Charlie!
Ann Kelly

Filcher The Fence

MORE... Ann is one of the founding members of An Nuadha Players, helping to launch the group in 1999. Since then, as well as being part of the group’s committee at different times over the years, she has been involved in nearly every single show An Nuadha Players have performed; she has either been in them, directed them (sometimes both at the same time), built sets, been part of the stage crew or helped on front of house. Ann was also a member of Thurles Drama Group for many years, she performed with the Irish Theatre Workshop in Munich, and has been involved in several productions with our neighbouring theatre group, Insight Theatre Celbridge. Ann is delighted to be involved with such a talented and enthusiastic cast in A Christmas Carol.
PAST SHOWS
Say Cheese (2000), Jack and the Beanstalk (2001), The Factory Girls (2001), Robin Hood (2002), Cinderella (2003), Juno and the Paycock (2003), Aladdin (2004), Beauty in the Beast (2005), Is This Love? (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), The Shaughran (2007), Cinderella (2008), When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet (2008), No Pastry for the King (2008), Ruby of Elsinore (2009), Aladdin (2010), The Case of the Count Formerly Known as Dracula (2011), Sinbad (2011), Same Old Moon (2012), Cinderella (2013), Dirt Tracks (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), The Hostage (2015), The Snow Queen (2015), Conquered Not We Were (2016), Echoes From A Room (2016), Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Patricia O’Malley

Sniffle

MORE... Tricia joined An Nuadha Players in 2010 for the Christmas Panto, Aladdin. Since then she’s starred in many pantos and plays with An Nuadha Players and Down at Heel Productions. Her credits include Sinbad, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Robin Hood, Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale, Snow White, The Case of the Count formerly known as Dracula, Same Old Moon, Echoes From A Room, A Tale of the Expected, and the podcast of Fractured: A Family A Nation A Dream, recorded during Covid. She played Clairee in the recent production of Steel Magnolias. A committee member and treasurer of past, she is looking forward to her role as Sniffle in A Christmas Carol.
PAST SHOWS
Aladdin (2004), Beauty in the Beast (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), Cinderella (2008), Aladdin (2010), The Case of the Count Formerly Known as Dracula (2011), Sinbad (2011), Same Old Moon (2012), Beauty and the Beast (2012), Cinderella (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), The Snow Queen (2015), Conquered Not We Were (2016), Echoes From A Room (2016), Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), Steel Magnolias (2023), and Sinbad (2023)
Camilla Pedersen

Spittle/Core Dancer

MORE... Camilla started with a local youth theatre group in 2000, where they did plays they wrote themselves and performed at different festivals in Denmark. While with the group Camilla was the bass player, as well as acting and singing, and was also the group's choreographer. She joined An Nuadha Players in 2016 for the Robin Hood panto, and has been involved ever since, most recently playing Weirdbeard in last year’s Christmas Pantomime, Sinbad. In 2019 and 2022, Camilla played Lydia Lubey in All My Sons and Kate Doogan in Philadelphia, Here I Come!, respectively, with Insight Theatre in Celbridge. In Spring 2024, she directed Bar & Ger for the Insight One Acts.
PAST SHOWS
Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), and Sinbad (2023)
Áine O‘Malley

Gobble

MORE... This is Áine’s first time performing with our lovely group! She was a member of the Leixlip Theatre Group many moons ago so while she has been on stage plenty of times before in dramas, comedies, and even the Salmon Festival pub crawls (yes, that counts as theatre!), Áine has never before stepped into the magical world of pantomime, so this is her Panto Debut. This will be the first time she’ll be dancing and singing outside the house — ever. Yes, that’s right! Áine has somehow managed to avoid singing and dancing in front of an audience for her entire life... until now. So if you see her looking slightly terrified during a musical number, please be kind!!
Rachel Butler

Growl

PAST SHOWS
Beauty and the Beast (2019) and Sinbad (2023)
Saoirse Walsh Colfer

Clarissa/Core Dancer/Assistant Choreographer

MORE... Saoirse has been a member of An Nuadha Players since 2003, when she joined the children’s chorus for the Christmas Pantomime, Aladdin, which took place in early 2004. The following year she auditioned to be a core dancer and has been part of the core dancers in every Christmas Pantomime since then. As well as performing on stage, Saoirse also works behind the scenes on the group’s committee as the Marketing & Advertising Officer, looking after everything from designing event posters to managing the online presence of An Nuadha Players to ticket sales. She has been on the committee for around 14 years. Saoirse loves to dance and trained at the Peelo School of Dance in ballet, contemporary, hip hop and jazz. She was also part of the Dance Society during her time in NUI Maynooth and currently trains at Monica Loughman Elite Ballet. She also loves to sing and is a member of the choir Canadh le Chéile with a number of other members of An Nuadha Players. Saoirse took on her first leading role in the group’s special production of Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale in 2022, following years of insisting she would never do a speaking part. She is very excited to be a part of this very special panto, in the group's 25th year, and to be on stage with her Mam and so many friends she has grown up with since joining An Nuadha Players. She is also thrilled to be Assistant Choreographer for this year’s panto, learning the art of choreography from our fabulous Choreographer, Méadhbh!
PAST SHOWS
Aladdin (2004), Beauty and the Beast (2005), Sinbad (2006), Robin Hood (2007), Cinderella (2008), Aladdin (2010), Sinbad (2011), Beauty and the Beast (2012), Cinderella (2013), Little Red Riding Hood (2014), The Snow Queen (2015), Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), and Sinbad (2023)
Caolainn Hanlon

Caroline

MORE... Caolainn made her An Nuadha Players debut in last year's panto, Sinbad, playing the role of Buckle, and was an ensemble member in this year's production of 'The Lady In the Van’. Both were wonderful experiences. She is interested in all things theatre and her love of theatre began when she joined Dramatic Action Maynooth 7 years ago, and has only grown since then. She is really looking forward to this taking the stage with such an incredible cast in 'A Christmas Carol’.
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2023) and The Lady in the Van (2024)
Katie Colgan

Emily

MORE... Katie is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. Katie is 16 years old. She is a client of MVW Talented Kids Agency, and has been acting for 4 years. In 2022, Katie was in the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs pantomime at Liberty Hall theatre, where she played the role of Grouchy and was involved with the chorus. In the same year, she was a part of a school production of Oliver! and played the supporting role of Widow Corney. In 2023, Katie was a part of Luggwoods’ Halloween and Christmas events, where she played a variety of roles. In 2024, she was part of Willow Productions’ Robin Hood, where she played Dorothy Gale, and in the same year was part of The Nightmare Realm 2024, where she was in the house of little red. Recently, Katie has returned to Luggwoods’ Halloween event, and she will also be returning to Luggwoods’ Christmas event. Katie is really excited to be part of An Nuadha Players’ production of A Christmas Carol, as she loves the cast and says it’s a great environment to be in. She is excited to bring her character of Emily to life, as she is a very sweet character.
Ava Greene

Core Dancer

MORE... Ava is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. Ava’s dream is to be a dancer / dance teacher and no better way to do it than starring in a panto as a core dancer! She is 14 years old and in 2nd year in St Wolstans in Celbridge. Ava started dancing with Dance LA Performing Arts School at 4 years old, and she has performed in The Helix 4 times. The dream of becoming a dancer teacher got one step closer when Ava had the opportunity to help teach little ones dances in Dance LA summer camp this year. She has also had the pleasure of singing in the National Concert Hall with the National Children’s Choir. If Ava is not busy dancing you will find her on the football pitch with her amazing team - Ballyoulster Under 15s! Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Ava!
Rebecca Wright

Core Dancer

MORE... Rebecca joined An Nuadha Players as part of the Children’s Chorus in our 2011 Christmas Pantomime, Sinbad, and she has been in a number of pantos over the years since then. In 2018, she performed in her TY musical production of Beauty and The Beast. One of our Core Dancers in this year’s panto, Rebecca loves dancing and did Irish dancing for 12 years, only stopping recently. She hopes to get into more productions in the future.
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2011), Beauty and the Beast (2012), The Snow Queen (2015), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), and Beauty and the Beast (2019)
Lucy Moss Weir

Core Dancer

MORE... Lucy is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut as one of our core dancers in this year’s panto, A Christmas Carol. She is also part of Westside Performing Arts and Theatreworx. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Lucy!
Eboni Heneghan

Core Dancer

MORE... Eboni joined An Nuadha Players as one of our fantastic Little People of the Forest (Yankee) in the 2022 pantomime production of Snow White. Eboni loves being involved in these productions and when she's not on the pitch she is equally at home on the stage. Eboni is really excited to be taking to the stage as a core dancer in the 2024 production of A Christmas Carol and she is delighted to take part in such a fun play with such a talented production team, cast and siblings.
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022) and Sinbad (2023)
Ava McCahey

Ensemble

MORE... Ava is back with An Nuadha Players for her third show, having been part of our fantastic chorus in our Christmas Pantomimes in 2022 and 2023. Ava enjoys crafts, baking, and minding her dogs. She also loves singing and dancing, and doing the Christmas Panto with us.
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022) and Sinbad (2023)
 
 
 
 

Additionally:

Meggoty Squidgebottom - Mary Higgins

Constance - Rachel Guest

Core Dancers

Rayne Darker ~  Laoise Howard ~ Lara Keegan

Ensemble

Laura Brunnock ~ Ailish Coghlan ~ Meabh Dowling ~ Siobhan O’Shea

Our Production Team

 
Martin Higgins

Scriptwriter

Martin has been professionally involved in the arts for over 30 years. He scripted the prestigious Gaiety Theatre pantomime for many years and his scripts have also been produced by professional companies in Cork at both the Opera House and the Everyman Theatre and in the UK. Martin has also written most of the original material for comedy performer June Rodgers throughout her professional career. He has worked with the Arts Council, UCD, and various touring theatre companies. However, Martin's first love is community theatre, and he has had some involvement in most of An Nuadha Players’ productions since its inception. This ranges from writing every one of our pantos, and directing many of them, to working backstage, lighting, creating sound effects and even performing (reluctantly). To his great joy, three generations of his family are involved in this production. It has always been Martin's ambition to adapt A Christmas Carol for the stage, and he is delighted to do so now together with Caitríona, Colin and Méadhbh and his beloved An Nuadha Players.

 
Caitríona Carr

Director

MORE... Caitríona did her first panto at age 3 with Celbridge Musical Society, and was in the very first An Nuadha Players panto where herself and Méadhbh played 'Daisy' and 'Daisy'. She has done a few of plays with Insight Theatre Group over the years, is the Musical Director of Canadh le Chéile - most of the members of which are also members of An Nuadha Players.
Méadhbh FitzGibbon Moore

Choreographer

MORE... Having debuted by selling sweets (and eating most of them) at the interval of An Nuadha Player’s production of Say Cheese in 2000, Méadhbh has since jumped in and out of Core Dancers, Choreography, and Principle roles. She represented An Nuadha Players on the circuit in 2016, acting in Breathing Lessons (directed and written by the very talented Martina Murphy), and won a Best Actress Award during the festival run. Méadhbh is grateful for all of the different opportunities and learning that An Nuadha Players has given her, and has loved watching everyone in the group developing so much over the years. Méadhbh has also performed in productions with Insight Theatre Group (including The Crucible, Alone It Stands, Positive Dead People), with Down at Heel Productions (Swift & Vanessa, and Fractured) and with Hy-Breasal (The Importance of Warren Tweed). She feels so lucky to be part of such a widely talented and supportive theatre community in North Kildare. Méadhbh teaches art and maths in a secondary school in Tallaght, where she also directs and choreographs the school musical. She loves being able to draw on her background in Art&Design during the multidisciplinary creative process of panto magic! Méadhbh is very excited to be part of another brand new show, written by our wonderful resident Dickens - Martin Higgins, directed by the creative visionary - Caitríona Higgins, produced by Fairy-Godmother and Chairperson - Amy Douglas, and with the musical genius Maestro Colin Sloan as MD. Méadhbh has had the added privilege this year of working alongside the super talented and dedicated Saoirse Colfer as Assistant Choreographer. Méadhbh has loved working with the fantastic cast of this year’s A Christmas Carol. The show is full of heart, acceptance, community and family - everything the group represents! She can’t wait to share the stage with the amazing cast, as we bring the sparkle of Christmas to Maynooth!
Colin Sloan

Musical Director

MORE... Colin is delighted to be invited back by An Nuadha Players for another production, having been MD for the inaugural pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, and many many shows since then. Colin is in high demand both as a musician and as an arranger, and performs regularly with The Essential Big Band (an 18 piece band specialising in the Big Band repertoire from the early 1900’s through to the swing era), his own band, Astorbar, and numerous other function bands. Over the past 25 years, Colin has been Musical Director for numerous societies and variety groups throughout Ireland. Favourite shows include Copacabana, Victor Victoria, Hot Mikado and Jesus Christ Superstar. More recently, Colin has been Musical Director for the UK Bublé by Candlelight series of concerts. For the past four years, Colin has been Musical Director and Arranger with Rush Musical Society @HomeHarmonies, a choir which began life as a remote, online project in 2020 but has since grown into a hugely successful choir with an eclectic repertoire including modern pop and rock. The choir has performed in premier venues throughout Ireland, including The Helix Theatre, and attended many choral festivals throughout the country and abroad. The choir won the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera Shield at the AIMS Choral Festival in 2022 and in 2023, and has recently returned from their headline performance closing the Prague International Music Festival. Colin is passionate about developing young talent, and he has been teaching in Electra Stage School since 1999. As a vocal coach, Colin’s students have achieved numerous national awards and some have gone on to work in professional theatre. Colin is delighted to be working with Caitriona and Meadhbh on this production, and would like to thank the committee (some of whom appeared as members of the cast for the first production back in 2001) for the tireless support, and of course the cast for making this all so much fun!
Amy Douglas

Producer

MORE... Amy joined An Nuadha Players in 2003, for the Christmas panto 'Cinderella', as a young teenager excited to be a part of a pantomime ensemble. Since then she’s been involved on and off stage in many productions with An Nuadha Players. She has loved being a core dancer in many shows and thoroughly enjoyed playing a variety of characters over the years in both plays and pantos alike. Amy is passionate about community theatre and highly values the joy it brings to cast and audience members alike, particularly loving to see it within our very talented younger members who she knows will be the bright future of the group. Amy has been an active committee member with An Nuadha Players for 8 years, as secretary in the past, and is currently our esteemed Chairperson. Taking on the role of producer in recent years has been a positive culmination of Amy’s skills- organising, coordinating encouraging and supporting to name a few- and she has thoroughly enjoyed working with such a fantastic, enthusiastic cast and dynamic, supportive production team for ‘A Christmas Carol’. It has been a joy to be part of the show's journey both in the cast and behind the scenes and she is excited to take to the stage with such an amazing bunch!

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