Longford students star in hilarious panto

Pupils and teachers at Ballymahon Vocational School produced and performed a wonderful panto ‘Rapunzel and the League of princesses’ recently that was enjoyed by nearly 2,000 people.

Director Emma Nolan, who was one of many teachers involved along with 65 students, said putting the panto on fostered a fantastic camaraderie and festive spirit.

"The students are great, we auditioned here in September for and it is open to first year students right up to sixth year and anyone who is interested and has a desire to do it," she said. "We whittled it down to about 65 then and let them have it."

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Emma said they have a huge student body who help and the pupils who were not selected on the cast were able to contribute by assisting in pre-production, arranging the sets and backdrop and helping out with the car park.

"There is a core team of (teachers) who work backstage and one teacher for props and another for costumes but it's really a whole school approach," she added.

The panto was performed on Tuesday, December 3, Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5 with three evening performances and two matinees for all of the primary school pupils in county Longford.

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"There is a really good buzz around the school, it brings a bit of life to things especially at this time of year and kids can get involved in this, and they don't want to go on stage necessarily, but they do want to be involved so there is jobs for everybody."

Emma also praised school caretaker Eugene McCormack for all of his dedicated work and assistance.

Meanwhile, local artist Frances Kelleher has an exhibition which is on in Skelly's foyer in Ballymahon and will be running until after the Christmas period with all proceeds going to the Unicef and St Vincent de Paul charities.

She stated they are all original works in a mostly traditional style that were completed on location in diverse places such as Clifden, Athlone and New York.

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"It is just a spur of the moment notion that I got. I am by no means a wealthy person but I at Christmas I will always give something to charity," she said. "This year I am thinking funds are never that easy to come by and it struck me, 'Gosh if I sold those paintings wouldn't it be terrific' so that is what I'm doing."

Frances said her 23 paintings are all original work and it will be a "wonderful if she manages to sell everything.

"I just flew with it, some of my friends, I have an art group that I tutor in in in Ballymahon and I've been doing it for many years.”