Scrooge comes to Maynooth for Christmas panto

Apparitions in clanking chains, shivering clerks, slobbering thieves, the many ghosts of Christmas and a grasping, scraping, clutching old sinner by the name of Ebenezer Scrooge.

These are just some of the many characters who are making their way to Maynooth for An Nuadha Players’ Christmas Pantomime — A Christmas Carol.

Charles Dickens is on his way there too to present what he thinks is a ‘serious’ production of his ‘Christmas masterpiece’.

Megotty Squidgebottom has had a sneak preview of the show however and she knows that writer Martin Higgins has written in a few surprises for ‘Charlie’. Martin has written all of the group’s pantomime scripts since An Nuadha Players was formed 25 years ago. He has also written pantos for professional theatres for many years.

The Ghost of Christmas Present (John O’Toole, right) tries to bring some joy into the life of Ebenezer Scrooge (John Fitzgibbon-Moore, left).

A Christmas Carol has long been one of Martin’s favourite books and he had hoped to adapt it for the stage someday. When his daughter Caitriona, who is the production’s director, suggested a panto version, Martin was delighted to take up the challenge. He is greatly looking forward to seeing his script come to life in the hands of the talented, creative production team.

Choreographer Méadhbh Fitzgibbon-Moore is very excited to be working with such a dynamic, dedicated and super-talented cast – the biggest ever for an An Nuadha Players’ pantomime.

“Audiences are in for a real treat with this show”, says Méadhbh. “It’s full of heart and the sparkle of Christmas”.

A Christmas Carol runs from Thursday, November 28 to Sunday, December 1 in the Aula Maxima in St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Show times are 7.30pm Thursday to Saturday with matinées on Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm. For tickets, visit Annuadhaplayers.ie or call into Maynooth Bookshop.

The pantomime is an expensive production and An Nuadha Players are grateful for the support of their main sponsors, Kildare County Council. If you have a business in the town and would like to sponsor any of their productions or provide raffle prizes, you are encouraged to get in touch via email or their website. If you would like to be part of the front of house or stage crews for the pantomime, please get in touch by email [email protected] or via our website.

Congratulations to Cillian Gaffney (aged 8) who won a family ticket to the show for his colourful entry. Entries will be on display in the Aula Maxima.

2025 Productions

Following the success of The Lady in the Van, the 2024 summer production, the group is inviting submissions for their 2025 summer production. If you have written a full length or one act play, or have a play script that you would like to put forward for consideration for the summer production in 2025, please email your submission to [email protected] by December 8.

If you are interested in directing, please confirm this in your email along with providing a brief background of your experience. The group says a huge thanks to everyone who attended for their Music Bingo fundraiser in Bradys in October. Finally, don’t forget to join An Nuadha Players for their 21st Christmas Pantomime where the ghost of Christmas Past will take your hand and fly you over the snowy rooftops of Victorian London into the past of Ebenezer Scrooge.