SPAR Panto Cinderella

The star studded cast of the SPAR Panto, Cinderella, were out in force to launch this yearÕs show which runs at University Concert Hall, Limerick from December 18th. The fairytale cast, in full costume, looked very much at home in the beautiful garden room surrounds of House, Limerick.
Panto debut in a starring role will be Haley-Jo Murphy as Cinderella and Myles Breen and Richard Lynch as the hilarious (and hideous!) Ugly Sisters at there launch in House, Limerick.
Samantha Mumba, who shot to fame in 2000 with the release of her debut single and most recently seen on Celebrity Masterchef, joins the UCH Panto cast for the first time this year.
Samantha MumbaÕs debut single Gotta Tell You went straight to the top of the Irish, UK and US charts in 2000. An international star, she went on to sell almost 5 million copies of hits during her successful singing career. Samantha also worked with Steven Spielberg, Vinnie Jones, Roger Daltrey and Patrick Bergin during her time as an actress.
A recent viewer-favourite on Celebrity Masterchef, Samantha is now preparing to be ÒbooedÓ off the stage as she takes on the role of CinderellaÕs evil Stepmother in this yearÕs University Concert Hall panto!
Picture Sean Curtin True Media.

University Concert Hall SPAR Panto Cinderella launched with star-studded cast

The star-studded cast of the SPAR Panto, Cinderella, were out in force on Tuesday, October 31st to launch this year’s show which runs at University Concert Hall, Limerick from December 18th until January 7th. The fairytale cast, in full costume, looked very much at home in the beautiful garden room surrounds of House, Limerick.

Samantha Mumba, who shot to fame in 2000 with the release of her debut single and most recently seen on Celebrity Masterchef, joins the UCH Panto cast for the first time this year.

SPAR Panto Cinderella

Samantha Mumba, Cinderella’s evil Stepmother and Leanne Moore as the Fairy Godmother at the launch in House, Limerick. Picture Sean Curtin True Media.

Samantha Mumba’s debut single Gotta Tell You went straight to the top of the Irish, UK and US charts in 2000. An international star, she went on to sell almost 5 million copies of hits during her successful singing career. Samantha also worked with Steven Spielberg, Vinnie Jones, Roger Daltrey and Patrick Bergin during her time as an actress.

A recent viewer-favourite on Celebrity Masterchef, Samantha is now preparing to be “booed” off the stage as she takes on the role of Cinderella’s evil Stepmother in this year’s University Concert Hall panto!

Speaking today Samantha said, “I’m really looking forward to taking part in this year’s Panto, and am very excited to be playing Cinderella’s Stepmother– I’ve never played a baddie before so I’ll get to boss the Ugly Sisters around and have a lot of fun with this role!”

Joining Samantha for his SPAR Panto debut at University Concert Hall will be Dayl Cronin, Dancing With The Stars semi-finalist and former member of Irish boyband Hometown, who will star as Cinderella’s love interest, Prince Charming.

SPAR Panto Cinderella

Dayl Cronin, the Prince and Panto debut in a starring role will be Haley-Jo Murphy, Cinderella at the launch in House, Limerick. Picture Sean Curtin True Media.

The Robert C Kelly and University Concert Hall Panto is now in its sixth year and has grown to become one of the most eagerly anticipated in the country, with a host of Irish showbiz names starring since 2012.

Magic, romance, a feisty heroine, a handsome prince, dubious sisters that could do with a beauty blogger boot camp, chart hits and hilarity will all combine inCinderella to produce the most wondrous panto ever seen!

Also starring Richie Hayes as Cinderella’s BFF Buttons, Leanne Moore as the Fairy Godmother, comedian Tom O’Mahony as Dandini and Myles Breen and Richard Lynch as the hilarious (and hideous!) Ugly Sisters. Making her UCH Panto debut in a starring role will be Haley-Jo Murphy as Cinderella!

Feedback for last year’s panto was amazing. “Fantastic…one of the best shows ever. Loved it from start to finish”,
“I was like a little kid again”, “I won’t be forgetting this show for a long, long time”, “Brilliant fun for all”.

The SPAR Panto Cinderella will be running at University Concert Hall, Limerick from 18th December 2017 – 7th January 2018.  Tickets from €18.50  with Matinee & Evening Shows. Box Office: 061 331549.

For stories on previous Pantos click here

Click here for more info and to book tickets for this year’s UCH SPAR Panto Cinderella

PHOTOS & VIDEO Keith Duffy visits St Munchins Community Centre

Keith Duffy visits St Munchins Community Centre – Richard with Marie Galligan Stokes and her son Adam, Santa, Keith Duffy and Linda Ledger, Manager St. Munchin’s Community Centre at the launch of the St Munchins Community Centre Children with Autism Santa Grotto 2015 in honour of the Keith Duffy Foundation. Picture: Leon Ledger.

Keith Duffy visits St Munchins Community Centre as part of his work with The Keith Duffy Foundation. The community centre is holding a Children with Autism Christmas Grotto 2015 with Santa Claus himself meeting and greeting children.

Keith, who is appearing in this year’s UCH Pantomime Sleeping Beauty until January 3 will be visiting the centre from 5pm alongside myself and fellow panto co-stars George McMahon and Leanne Moore.

Speaking at the launch of the event, the Boyzone star expressed his excitement to be helping out on the day, “I was in Limerick all last Christmas and I’m back again this Christmas. It’s important for me to make sure that people realise that I’m supporting whatever they’re doing involving autism and to get an opportunity to go meet all the kids and say hello is great.”

Manager of St Munchin’s Community Centre, Linda Ledger, decided to organise the Christmas grotto with her sister Marie for two very simple reasons, “my nephew Adam was diagnosed with Autism and we didn’t realise that there was no Santa in Limerick for children with autism”.

Marie Gilligan Stokes, whose son Adam (4) was diagnosed with autism is actively involved in collecting unused mobile phones as part of an Irish Autism Action appeal. The appeal grants iPads to children with autism to help with communication.

When Marie first began the appeal she never expected the kind generosity that she received, “A gentleman from America who heard of our appeal sent over a cheque anonymously to pay for the iPad. Before we knew it within 13 days we had nearly 800 odd phones so we had enough to get two more iPads. We got one for Adam and donated the other two to local intervention centres in Limerick. The phones just kept coming so as long as they keep coming we’ll keep donating them. So far now we’ve donated 5 iPads.” Unused mobile phones can be dropped into the collection point at St Munchin’s Community Centre.

The Keith Duffy Foundation is working to raise funds for a number of children’s charities throughout Ireland and charities in Limerick will not be forgotten. Keith tells me,  “I’m going to come back next year to hopefully be involved in a black tie fundraising ball and I want to find out what’s going and in Limerick and find out how I can help.”

While the Christmas grotto is being held specifically for children with autism, St. Munchin’s Community Centre would like to welcome everyone to come and meet Keith from 5pm.

To find out about Keith’s Foundation visit www.KeithDuffyFoundation.ie.
You can also read more about St Munchins Community Centre right here!

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Photos by Jonathan Baynes for I Love Limerick. All rights reserved.