No lie, says Pinocchio, it’s panto time! Oh yes it is!

Dress up, order the popcorn, and book your seats for another fun-filled roller coaster ride in pantoland – ‘Pinocchio’, the 49th show by the Kells Musical and Dramatic Society’.

The show is written and directed by John Grant, who has also penned two original songs for it: ‘Panto time in Kells’ and ‘Circus time again’. When the woodworker Geppetto sees a falling star, he wishes that Pinocchio, the puppet he just finished, could become a real boy. In the night, the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto’s wish and asks Figaro the cat to serve as the wooden boy’s conscience. But the naive and trusting Pinocchio falls into the clutches of the wicked puppet master Stromboli, who has plans to get rich quick on Pinocchio’s talents. Pinocchio learns that he has to prove himself worthy in order to make his father’s wish come true. When Pinocchio shows himself as selfless, truthful, obedient, and brave, the Blue Fairy transforms him into a real boy.

Pinocchio (Shannen Elliott Thompson and Isabelle Costello) sets off on an adventure with Figaro (Aliyah Bhoj and Sammie Kellagher) and they meet the Stromboli (Stephen Stafford), who has kidnapped the beautiful singer Truly Scrumptious (Lucy Jarrett and Lilly Nolan). Stromboli has enlisted the help of the comics Salt and Pepper (Louise Rogers and Paige Luddy) who stumble their way through the panto causing mayhem and madness.

Kind Geppetto (Colin McGovern) goes in search of Pinocchio with his wife, panto dame Biddy Burnbread (John Grant), the worst cook in the world who wisecracks his way through the show.

The good fairy, Fairy Loo Loo (Ciara O’Neill) is always in great need of the toilet, but never finds it. Seamus Ennis plays the love hounded Count Meaney and Kellyanne Costello plays Miss Snob, a man-mad lady seeking wealth and title. Danielle Wilders plays the village idiot Idle Jackie.

The palace Herald (Holly Dardis and Olivia Nolan) and the mad hungry ape (Caithlin Matthews) take lead roles for the first time, and Geppetto’s five beautiful toys come to life – Sonic (Eimear Dunne), Woody (Olivia Nolan), Jessie (Caoimhe Smith), Ken (Juliette McWeeney) and Barbie (Halle Mae Mulligan). There are plenty of supporting roles with villagers and ghosts.

Senior villagers/dancers are Annabelle Leonard, Aliyah Bhoj, Isabel Costello, Holly Dardis, Lucy Jarratt, Caoimhe Traynor, Lilly Nolan, Sammi Kelleher, Shannon Elliot Thompson, Eimear Dunne, Halle Mae Mulligan, Olivia Nolan, Caithlin Matthews, Nora Lendorf, Juliette McWeeney, Caoimhe Smith, Stevie McElherron. Junior villagers are Killian McKenna, JD Moran, Eoghan Farrelly, Madison Rose Cassidy, Sophie McEntee, Caoimhe Whelan, Emillie Kenny. Mid villagers are Orla Farrelly, Jessi Grogan, Freya Maguire, Shona Elliot Thompson, Sunni Moran, Indigo Dempsey.

Senior children ghosts are Hollie Brown, Alison McGuirk, Niamh Ennis, Casey Farrell, Naoise Farrelly, Kate Rennicks, Hannah Rose McEntee, Louise Dunne, Arienne McElherron and Alex Reid.

The costumes are made by the experienced Linda McLoughlin, who makes sure they are top class. Choreographers Helena Sheridan and Ciara O’Neill have superb dance routines ready, and the stage crew team of Ben Devine, John Curran, Danny Sheridan, Derek Booth, are working away on the sets.

Brian O’Neill Jnr and Brian O’Neill Snr are busy assembling the lighting, and Mark Reddy is on sound assisted by Dylan Gibbons. Emer Gogarty is on effects. Sandra McDonnell Alice Mulvany and Mags Oszewski are front of house team, along with Alanagh Gavin and her makeup team, and cast supervisors are prepared. Spot operators are Niall Matthews and Ben Butlin. Cast manager is Annemarie Stratton, and prompter Susan Tuite will make sure the show runs smoothly. MC Aaron Byrne will be in action every performance.

The committee are all working at putting in place the production under the watchful eye of John Grant and all will sing and dance their way to a happy ending. Wait a minute… oh no they won’t! Oh yes they will!

Finding out how it all ends means you have to be at the show, so put these dates in your diary: Thursday February 5 to Sunday February 15. Book by email at kellstheatre@gmail.com with your contact details, or phone 087 7101671 and the organisers will contact you and book you in. Booking office by phone from Monday January 26 (11am-5pm); there is a €2 admin fee on credit card bookings only. Special price family ticket (two adults and two children) €45.

The venue is the Old Eureka School hall, Navan Road (A82 DX47).