Legendary Irish panto dame Joe Conlan, celebrating his 28th year in the industry, will play Nanny Ninny Noonah in this year's Gaiety Christmas panto, Rapunzel. Here, he celebrates three decades spent delighting audiences.
Over the years I have been very blessed and lucky as a jobbing actor to be working at Christmas. And nothing gives me more pleasure then to be part of any pantomime production throughout the country. But there's nothing quite like the Gaiety panto.
Once upon a time, panto season went into the month of March!
When that path brings you back to where it all began for me, it’s the best Christmas present ever. I made my first appearance at the age of 13 at The Gaiety, but my first panto appearance was a few years later, at the tender age of 17, with Maureen Potter heading a cast of great people. I was part of that company for many years. Change happens as it does in life, and I was lucky to play opposite Twink for many years with people who I can now call my friends and colleagues.
But for the past eight years I have been part of a team of creative people on and off-stage who have brought the Gaiety panto productions into the present day, lead by our director Daryn Crosbie.
When I am on that stage, I’m thrilled and excited to be part of everything around me. To be given the opportunity to carry this tradition of Dame at The Gaiety is more than one can ask for. Daryn has a fun way of making a tough job easy for us all. This year I’ll meet a new team of characters, but am delighted to be able to share every inch of The Gaiety stage and play opposite fellow veteran Nicholas Grennell as the King. He is always a joy to work with, and play opposite.
Week 2 wit me king and still hasn't found wah he's look in for .@hellomissionpr @gaiety_theatre pic.twitter.com/9BsBWBn5eg
— Joe conlan (@Joeconlan4) November 6, 2017
Over the years, pantos like Hansel & Gretel, Red Riding Hood, Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk always brought the house down. Once upon a time, panto season went into the month of March!
There was only one year that the Gaiety panto was replaced by a musical - Annie, starring Jacinta Whyte, back in 1978. Nobody ever saw the success that show was going to be; after running for months, it kept going through Christmas, took a break for the DGOS (Dublin Grand Opera Sociery) and ran for another four months! The panto returned the following year and continues as a Gaiety tradition, and a grand Dublin tradition, to this day.
One of many pairs for Dame Nanny at the Gaiety Panto @Joeconlan4 @gaiety_theatre @hellomissionpr @Wide_Awake_Comm pic.twitter.com/76t0hKy3XM
— Joe conlan (@Joeconlan4) November 22, 2017
Like I said, its all about team work. We're a family, we care and look after one another, and then we move on - but we never forget.
Rapunzel runs at the Gaiety Theatre until January 7th 2018 - more details here.
