The Sword in the Stone

Christmas Pantomime 2025

4th - 7th December

 

"Sometimes the strongest magic comes from within ourselves"

🌟And that's a wrap on The Sword in the Stone, Panto 2025🌟

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

First of all, a massive thank you to our fantastic committee for working so hard getting this 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 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 👏🌟 It was a pleasure sharing the stage with all of you đŸ„°

Read more about our cast and production team below.

To our fabulous production team - Scriptwriter/Director, RĂ­an, Choreographer, MĂ©adhbh, and Musical Director, Marie - 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!

Congratulations to RĂ­an on getting your first panto script to the stage! Thank you for trusting us to bring your words and 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.

Thank you to Mariana Campos D'Assunção and Cathal Hayes Photography for taking photos of our show and rehearsals, as well as our cast, crew and families for sharing their photos with us. Click here to check them out.

To all of our sponsors, raffle prize providers, and everyone who supported us in getting this show to the stage, thank you for everything you do for us.

A special mention to our main sponsor, St Patrick's Pontifical University, 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 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!!

BRING ON 2026!! 😊🎭đŸȘšđŸ—Ąâœš

The Cast of The Sword in the Stone

Alisha Shiels

Arthur

MORE... Alisha started with An Nuadha Players in the 2023 panto Sinbad, as the slimy sidekick. She had the privilege of having an ensemble role in The Lady in the Van, where she was inspired by the other incredible actors in this group. She has been in the one act shows with Kilcock Musical & Dramatic Society. Alisha is excited to get back rehearsing after the fun of last year's panto: A Christmas Carol! She is delighted to be working with such a fun and talented cast to bring The Sword in the Stone to stage this year!!
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2023), The Lady in the Van (2024), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Rayne Darker

Éowyn

Finbarr Coghlan

Merlin

AoibhĂ­nn O'Neill

Merlot

MORE... Aoibhínn is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, The Sword in the Stone. She’s currently in “dramatic action stage school” in Maynooth and has done many showcases with them. Aoibhínn has been with them since she was three years old. She has recently been the wicked witch in the civic theatre Tallaght camp wizmania. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Aoibhínn!
Leanne Greene

Egwene

MORE... Leanne is an 18 year old student studying Community and Youth Work in Maynooth University and is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in The Sword in the Stone. She decided to audition for this year’s panto after seeing how much her younger sister Ava enjoyed it last year! This year Leanne and both of her sisters, Ava and Neasa, will be on stage together in the panto. Leanne used to be a member of Dance LA Preforming Arts School, but gave it up due to her love of football. She is a coach to teams in Ballyoulster United AFC. Leanne’s love for singing and acting has never left and she is so excited to be a part of it all again. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Leanne!
Rebecca Wright

Elayne

MORE... Rebecca’s very first show with An Nuadha Players was Sinbad in 2011. Since then she has done a number of pantomimes with An Nuadha Players, and ever year it’s an absolute blast to be involved in alongside every castmate. Growing up Rebecca learned a number of different types of dance styles, such as ballet, jazz, modern, hiphop, tap and Irish dancing. The only style she continued to practice was Irish dancing for around 12-13 years, where she competed at the world championships a couple of times. Rebecca had never really considered an acting role/principal role or singing role until Jack and the Beanstalk in 2018, where she had her first principal role. Since then she has auditioned most years for a principal role. Rebecca was never confident enough to audition before but says that auditioning with An Nuadha Players helped her gain that confidence! She hopes to be in more productions in the future! This year’s pantomime is definitely one of Rebecca’s favourites that she has been a part of. Filled with lots of laughter, fun songs and dances and brilliant characters. Rebecca is very excited to be playing the role of Elayne in this year’s production of The Sword in the Stone!
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2011), Beauty and the Beast (2012), The Snow Queen (2015), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Amber Heneghan

Hmmm

MORE... Amber joined 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 played the lead role of Maria in the MPPS TY school musical version of West Side Story in February 2025 and was a huge success and every night was a sell-out. 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 and she holds a level 6 in RIAM. Amber was core dancer and chorus member in the 2019, 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 back in 2025, following last year’s role as Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol and cast as Hmmm in The Sword in the Stone.
PAST SHOWS
Sleeping Beauty (2017), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Tom Brady-Connor

Haww

MORE... Tom joined An Nuadha Players in 2013 as Prince Charming in Cinderella. Since then he’s starred in many productions with An Nuadha Players as well as Insight Theatre Celbridge and Hy-Breasal Theatre. His credits include, The Snow Queen, The Hostage, Robin Hood, Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale, Beauty and the Beast, The Crucible, BrontĂ«, Backwater, Rentals and The Prisoner of Second Avenue. He had his directing debut with Steel Magnolias in 2023. A previous committee member, he loves all things theatre and is excited to be back on stage with An Nuadha Players.
PAST SHOWS
Cinderella (2013), The Hostage (2015), The Snow Queen (2015), Robin Hood (2016), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Steel Magnolias (2023), The Prisoner of Second Avenue (2025)
Michelle Walsh

Mammy/Mary

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 and has been part of the chorus since with the odd line or two and a transformation! Michelle learnt how to sew from a very young age and went on to study Fashion Design in NCAD, and when she can, she puts her skills to good use with her help with costumes and is ready with the scissors to remove any stray threads. She represented her local GAA club in ScĂłr na N'Ăłg 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 and is presently a member of Sing Up Sing Out (SUSO) choir and loving it! She's very excited to take on her very first leading role as Mammy and is sharing the stage for yet another panto with her Daughter Saoirse who is one of the twinkled toed core dancers and chorus member, along with this fabulously supportive and amazingly talented 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), Snow White (2022), A Christmas Carol (2024)
John Bean

Daddy/Seamus

Ann Kelly

Judge Blackthorn

MORE... Ann is one of the founding members of An Nuadha Players, helping to launch the group in 1999. Since then, as well as serving on the committee at various times, she has been involved in most of the shows 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 and crew in The Sword in the Stone!
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), The Lady in the Van (2024), A Christmas Carol (2024), The Prisoner of Second Avenue (2025)
Dara Doherty-Madrigal

Phlem

MORE... Dara has always loved performing and always strove to sing solos in the children's choir at church ever since she could sing. She 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. She also performed in a student-written musical (As Gaeilge!) at college. Dara made her An Nuadha Players debut playing Dilly Daw in Jack and the Beanstalk. She has also taken part in other shows with us as a core dancer, such as Beauty and the Beast, Twisted, Snow White, and A Christmas Carol, and helped as part of the Stage Crew for Sinbad (2023). 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 excited to play a baddie for the first time!
PAST SHOWS
Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Aoife Emily Dutton

Mucus

MORE... Aoife attended both the George McMahon Performing Arts Academy and also The Peelo School of Ballet for 8 years. During that time, she performed in productions at The Helix and O'Reilly theatres. She also enjoyed her acting experience on the RTÉ production 'Louise Lives Large'. Aoife sang soprano 1 in The Children’s Choir at the National Concert Hall, and sings with her school choir, participating in yearly competitions at Wesley College. Aoife is a member of the local ukulele group, singing and playing in various festivals and events. She is currently involved with Straffan Drama Club and also attends the Geraldine O'Brien School of Speech and Drama, where she has achieved multiple grades from the London Academy of Dramatic Arts.
PAST SHOWS
A Christmas Carol (2024)
John O'Toole

Lord Cumberbun

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), Sinbad (2023) and A Christmas Carol last year where he portrayed the Spirit of Christmas Present. 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 MisĂ©rables. 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 ChĂ©ile along with many other members of the An Nuadha Players family. He is looking forward to to the stage in this year’s panto The Sword in the Stone where he will be playing Lord Cummerbund, with such am amazingly talented cast.
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), Sinbad (2023), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Elin Fox

Hub

MORE... Elin is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, The Sword in the Stone. She is 15 years old and started performing in SDC in February, and she enjoys watching and taking part in plays. She also enjoys playing camogie. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Elin!
Camilla With Pedersen

Nub

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 Spittle in last year’s Christmas Pantomime, A Christmas Carol. 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 and in Summer 2025 was Stage Manager for our production of The Prisoner of Second Avenue.
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), Sinbad (2023), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Caolainn Hanlon

Grub

MORE... Caolainn made her An Nuadha Players debut in Sinbad in 2023, playing the role of Buckle which was a wonderful experience. She has since performed as an ensemble member in 'The Lady in the Van', Caroline in ‘A Christmas Carol’ and was part of the stage crew for ‘The Prisoner of Second Avenue’. She is currently a Junior Committee member with An Nuadha Players. She has been a part of Dramatic Action Maynooth for 8 years, and her love of theatre has only grown since then. She is also the cofounder of the Maynooth Post Primary School drama society.
PAST SHOWS
Sinbad (2023), The Lady in the Van (2024), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Siobhan O'Shea

Shrub

Bry Johnston

Royal Announcer

MORE... This is Bry's first production with An Nuadha Players, and they are looking forward to performing in such a fun show with a talented cast! Bry has loved singing since they could talk, and took to the stage for the first time at age 9 in their school's production of California Missions and More! Bry was instantly hooked on musical theatre and performed in as many productions as possible until taking a break for university. In the last few years, Bry has returned to acting, first as a member of Dublin's Acting Out where they performed in several short plays, one of which won best play at a competition at the Galway Arts Centre in 2024. More recently, Bry was in Kilcock Musical and Dramatic Society's Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (2025) and will be in their upcoming production of Into the Woods (2026). Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Bry!
Laura Brennan

Villager

MORE... Laura has been a member of An Nuadha Players since 2018 and is delighted to be joining us on stage again this year! Laura completed her Grade 8 in Musical Theatre in 2023 with Distinction and is currently preparing for her Senior Certificate with Kaeylea Van Keith. She is also a member of Teacher's Musical Society. Laura has really enjoyed rehearsals for the show and would like to thank the hardworking production team and committee for making it happen.
PAST SHOWS
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)
Ava Greene

Villager/Core Dancer

MORE... After last year’s panto (wasn't it fantastic?!) Ava was asked to dance in this year’s Eurovision music video for Ireland - Laika Party. They recorded the music video in the Library of Trinity College - it was an amazing experience! Ava loves dancing and learning new dances with Dance LA Performing Arts School. If she’s not dancing, she’s on the football pitch with the U16 girls Ballyoulster team! Ava’s 2 sisters are also involved in this year’s panto, making it extra special!
PAST SHOWS
A Christmas Carol (2024)
Amy Douglas

Producer/Core Dancer

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 9 years, working as secretary and Chairperson in the past. 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 'The Sword in the Stone'. 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), The Lady in the Van (2024), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Saoirse Walsh Colfer

Core Dancer/Dance Captain

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 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 ChĂ©ile 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 fantastic show, 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 Dance Captain with an amazing group of dancers, who you don’t want to miss!
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), Sinbad (2023), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Laura Brunnock

Core Dancer

MORE... Laura is delighted to be a core dancer in her second show with An Nuadha Players. She has previously danced and sang in Theatreworx and Dramatic Action shows. As an actor she has appeared in several shows with Straffan Drama Club, including Shout by Alexis Zegerman and Moving Statues by Geraldine O’Brien. She most recently had a leading role playing the part of G in Brainplay which played at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast as part of the National Theatre Connections programme. She loves singing, dancing and acting and can’t pick which is her favourite!
PAST SHOWS
A Christmas Carol (2024)
Faye Kerin

Core Dancer

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 since 2022. Ava is 20 years old and loves to look after her dogs at home. She also loves to be a part of An Nuadha Players and says it’s lots and lots of fun, and she’d recommend it to all of her family and friends.
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Meabh Dowling

Ensemble

Autumn Carey

Ensemble

Ailish Coghlan

Ensemble

Maria FitzGibbon

Ensemble

MORE... Maria has been on the Committee for the past two years and is currently Joint Secretary with Roberta Hines. Returning to her 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 and the part of Schoolmistress in "A Christmas Carol" 2024, both of which she loved. She says she is "delighted to be in the chorus for this brand new panto "The Sword in the Stone" with it's amazing Production Team and fabulous cast and crew."
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), The Lady in the Van (2024), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Roberta Hines

Ensemble

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), Sinbad (2023), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Amelia Brogan

Children's Chorus

MORE... Amelia made her An Nuadha Players debut in last year’s panto, A Christmas Carol, as our Ghost of Christmas Past. 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.
PAST SHOWS
A Christmas Carol (2024)
Neasa Greene

Children's Chorus

MORE... Neasa is one of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, The Sword in the Stone. She is 8 years old and in 3rd class in Scoil Naomh Brid in Celbridge. Neasa loves dancing, singing and playing football. She’s in Dance LA Performing Arts School since she was 3 years old! She has performed on the big stage in the Helix 3 times and goes to see a panto every year, and is really excited to be in this year’s one with her 2 big sisters! Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Neasa!
Alannah Ryan

Children's Chorus

MORE... Alannah is one of our newest members debuting in this year’s An Nuadha Players Christmas Panto, The Sword in the Stone. She loves singing, dancing and being active. Alannah also enjoys playing soccer with Maynooth Town football Club and football and camogie with Maynooth GAA. Wishing her all the best in her first An Nuadha Players performance. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Alannah!
ClĂ­ona Ryan

Children's Chorus

MORE... Clíona is one of our newest members debuting in this year’s An Nuadha Players Christmas Panto, The Sword in the Stone. She loves dancing and being active. Clíona also very much enjoys her acrobatic dance and trapeze classes locally. She thoroughly enjoyed performing in The Daisy School of Dance’s annual show The Wizard of Oz last year. Wishing her all the best in her first An Nuadha Players performance. Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Clíona!
Leia Sena

Children's Chorus

MORE... Leia is another of our newest members, making her An Nuadha Players debut in this year’s panto, The Sword in the Stone. She is 9 years old and this is her very first panto; she’s so excited! Leia has loved drama and performing for as long as she can remember, and singing is one of her favourite things to do. Leia can’t wait to be on stage and share the magic with you all! Welcome to An Nuadha Players, Leia!
Charlie Morrissey

Children's Chorus

MORE... This is Charlie’s 2nd year taking part in the panto. Having got a taste for the stage, he couldn’t wait for rehearsals to start again. Charlie also plays rugby and football and loves to sing.
PAST SHOWS
A Christmas Carol (2024)
RĂłisĂ­n Morrissey

Children's Chorus

MORE... RĂłisĂ­n is in 2nd class and so excited to take part in her 1st panto. Having watched her brother Charlie last year she has been so excited to join in herself. She loves sport - plays Football and Camogie and loves to sing.
Sam O Shea

Children's Chorus

MORE... Sam loves doing panto with An Nuadha Players; he loves the acting, the singing and the dancing and being part of such a fun group of people. He also loves when all his friends and family come see him take to the stage. This is his 4th year being involved and he has been really looking forward to this year’s show since the curtain closed on his time as boy scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He hopes you enjoy this year's show as much as he does.
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Willow Heneghan

Children's Chorus

MORE... Willow joined An Nuadha Players in the 2022 pantomime production of Snow White and enjoyed it so much she is back. Willow loves being on stage and learning the dances, songs and script for every show. Willow loves all sports, is a member of Maynooth GAA, Maynooth Town FC and is part of the junior orchestra and choir in school. Willow is really excited to be taking to the stage once again this year with a fabulous cast in The Sword in the Stone.
PAST SHOWS
Snow White (2022), Sinbad (2023), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Jesse Lorenzo

Children's Chorus

MORE... This is Jesse’s second production with An Nuadha Players, although he has been in the audience supporting his grandparents, aunty and cousins since he was born. Following his fantastic performance as Tiny Tim in last year’s panto, he is excited to be part of the Children’s Chorus in The Sword in the Stone.
PAST SHOWS
A Christmas Carol (2024)
Michaela Sanders

Children's Chorus

 
 
 

Our Production Team

RĂ­an Glynn

Scriptwriter/Director

MORE... Having joined An Nuadha Players as a kid who was too tall to be a kid, RĂ­an has been heavily involved in the group on stage and off stage since 2002. His first principal role came in the 2011 production of The Tale of The Count Formerly Known as Dracula and was quickly followed by playing the titular role in Sinbad (2011). He also had the opportunity to direct his first play with Blue Wine by Rory Griffin in 2015. From 2013-2016, RĂ­an sat on the committee, acting as chairperson for two of those years as well. Outside of An Nuadha Players, RĂ­an has been involved with Insight Theatre Group in numerous variety nights, On The Outside by Tom Murphy (2013), The Crucible by Arthur Miller (2017) and he also directed the hugely successful Alone It Stands (2018 + 2020).
PAST SHOWS
Robin Hood (2002), Cinderella (2003), Aladdin (2004), Beauty and the Beast (2005), The Case of the Count Formerly Known as Dracula (2011), Sinbad (2011), Blue Wine (Director) (2015), Conquered Not We Were (2016), Robin Hood (2016), Sleeping Beauty (2017), Jack and the Beanstalk (2018), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Sinbad (2023), The Lady in the Van (2024)
MĂ©adhbh Fitzgibbon Moore

Choreographer

MORE... Meadhbh has been a member of An Nuadha Players since 2001, when she appeared as an 11 year old in Jack and the Beanstalk. She trained at the Peelo School of Dance in ballet, contemporary, hip hop and jazz. A highlight was dancing with Ballet Ireland in The Rite of Spring at the National Concert Hall. An accomplished actress, Meadhbh has performed with An Nuadha Players, Down at Heel, Hy-Breasil and Insight theatre groups, and received Best Actress awards while representing An Nuadha Players in multiple One Act festivals. And of course, she has been a stalwart of nay of the An Nuadha Players pantos, making her choreographic debut with the group in 2018. Meadhbh holds a BA in Fine Art and incorporated dance into her art practice for her degree presentation of performance art. With a Postgraduate Qualification in Art Education, she now teaches art and maths in a GaelcholĂĄiste in Tallaght. She founded the annual musical in her school, and has worked as director, choreographer and musical director over the years. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with the team and cast on this original production of The Sword in the Stone.
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), Blessed Be The Fruit (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2019), Twisted! A Wicked Fairytale (2022), Snow White (2022), A Christmas Carol (2024)
Marie McAndrew

Musical Director

MORE... Marie McAndrew is a music director, educator, and skilled multi-instrumentalist, originally from Mayo. She holds a Master’s degree in Musical Direction from Leeds Conservatoire (2023), having previously qualified as a secondary school Music and Maths teacher, and has over twenty years of experience in music education, musical direction, and performance. Throughout her career, Marie has worked across a wide range of genres and settings, from professional theatre and touring productions to community and educational projects. She recently worked as Musical Director for Maynooth Community College on the shows Back To The 80’s, High School Musical and Legally Blonde. She regularly returns to playing with live bands whenever the opportunity arises. Recent UK credits include: Reception: The Wedding Present Musical (The Warehouse @Slung Low, Leeds), The Flood (MD, AKA Theatre, Leeds Playhouse; UK Tour), SĂșper Chefs (MD, Maya Productions, UK Tour), 42 Balloons (AMD, Global Musicals, The Lowry Salford; West End Live), Jack and the Beanstalk (MD, Anton Benson Productions, Oldham). This is Marie’s first production with An Nuadha Players and she is very grateful to have been so warmly welcomed into the creative team and to work with such a talented group of people.
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 9 years, working as secretary and Chairperson in the past. 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 'The Sword in the Stone'. 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), The Lady in the Van (2024), A Christmas Carol (2024)
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