Buncrana pantomime hoping to return in the new year

placeholder image — Previous pantomimes in Buncrana

The pantomime gives the young and not so young people of the parish the opportunity to appear on stage and perform in a local pantomime produced and directed by local people

Way back in 1976 Neil Doherty and a group of fellow pantomime enthusiasts decided to revive the local panto that had remained dormant since the 1950.

In doing so it gives the young and not so young people of the parish the opportunity to appear on stage and perform in a local pantomime produced and directed by local people and so the journey began and 48 years later and after scores of successful shows the Buncrana panto is still here. The production team may have changed through the years but their objective is still the same as it was when they started, to produce an annual pantomime for the people of Buncrana and the wider community.

All profits from past and present pantomimes went directly into the parish funds to help with the upkeep of the churches and St. Mary's Hall. They were delighted when their last panto ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ in 2023 made a profit of €10,000, which went towards the fund to install a lift and disabled toilets in St Mary’s Hall.

The previous pantomime

This would not have been possible without the support of the public and business community of Buncrana and the surrounding areas. They thank everyone for their generosity through either attendance and sponsorship and hope for the continued support in the future.

After a break in 2024,it’s their intention to bring to the stage the pantomime Aladdin in January 2025. They are looking for people over 13 years of age to join either on stage or behind the scenes and help keep the Buncrana panto alive. Registration for auditions is on Tuesday August 20 at 8pm in St. Mary's hall.