Rolling out the magic carpetA genie, a dragon, a princess, a magician and a minister all pose for the cameras outside the Gaiety Theatre. Someone pinches a bottom! Hurry up, the panto cast of Aladdin is getting carried away. The cast surrounds Seamus Brennan TD, chairman of the National Millennium Committee, who doesn't even flinch. In fact, he seems delighted.
There is much jostling and pushing. It's bright and crisp on the pavement and the photographers are delighted with the light - it's perfect for capturing the day that the restoration of the theatre's Victorian facade is officially declared complete. A flag-stone with a plaque commemorating the day is laid in the newly designed plaza on South King Street. It's reason enough to celebrate. Smile, please. Click. Lunch is served.
Michael Grennell, aka the Widow Twankey, is in yellow ankle boots and a Mary Poppins outfit - quite fetching. Alan Smyth, who plays Aladdin, is out in his finery too. Wassup! Barbara Brennan, who plays the Sultana, is in luscious pink with a train the size of a small field. The evil magician (booooo), Cormac Costello, is mostly in black. The good genie, Andrea Edmonds, and Princess Jade, Ruth Melody, look ready to burst into song - and sure enough, the matinee performance begins immediately after lunch. Other panto actors are Corkman, Mark O'Regan, and Waterford native Richie Hayes. John Costigan, director of the theatre, and producer of Aladdin, with flowing golden locks, is delighted with the new facade. Also with fair flowing locks is the contractor on the job, Mick Wallace, of Wellington Bridge in Co Wexford. He says work will continue in this area - a fountain is planned for the end of the street. Others present include Bernadette Greevy, the dark-haired mezzo-soprano and David Collopy of Opera Ireland.
There's food, Victoriana and a racing tip, to boot. Hugo Jellet, former manager of Gowran Park in Co Kilkenny and now marketing manager of the Gaiety Theatre, has a tip for race-goers on St Stephen's Day. Put your money on Slaney Native, trained by Jessie Harrington - if the gelding is running, that is.