The perfect ingredients for the Pantomime 2017 season at the Burnavon, Cookstown have been brought together, as the cast has been chosen for Stewartstown Amateur Dramatic Society’s annual family pantomime, which this year will be ‘Willy Wonka: The Pantomime”.

There was great excitement at McNeece Hall in Stewartstown, as those who had auditioned, friends and family gathered to hear who had gained a coveted place in the cast. Pat Smith, Chairperson of the Society welcomed everyone, and spoke of the opportunities that arise from being involved in a cross community organisation that delivers such a tremendous event to the people of the Mid Ulster area. He went on to thank everyone who had attended the recent auditions and said that it had been a particularly hard choice this year as so many people had come forward.

Brian Morgan, Director, then broke the suspense by announcing the following successful actors and actresses for the cast: Willy Wonka: Michael Bradley from Magherafelt; Charlie Bucket: Jack Carberry from Brackaville; Augustus Gloopus : Oisin Quinn from Moneymore; Veruca Salty : Hannah Ferguson from Dungannon (who took the lead as Dorothy in last year’s ‘The Wizard of Oz); Violet Broomhandler : Emily Gribbin from Dungannon.  (who was Snow White in the 2014 panto), with another star turn from Grandma Josephine  (the panto dame), as always played by John Glendinning.

The parents of the children going into the chocolate factory include three newcomers Eileen Devlin, James Parks and Niall Herron alongside Andrea Morgan who joined the society in 2015.

Michael Bradley, who will play the principal male role as Willy Wonka, said ‘I’m delighted that I’ve got the part of Willy Wonka, one of the most recognisable characters in literature, film and on stage. We have great plans for this year’s show to make it bigger and better than last year, so it’s very exciting and I’m looking forward to getting started at rehearsals.’

Jack Carberry said ‘I’m apprehensive, excited and delighted all at the same time. Stewartstown Amateur Dramatic Society is a very special community organisation to be involved in and I feel it’s a fantastic experience for me and indeed all those involved.’

Rehearsals have now started in earnest with a full timetable in the run-up to January. Over the past 17 years, Stewartstown Amateur Dramatic Society have provided a cross-community project that each year has got bigger and better and this year’s show promises to have plenty of extra special effects to offer the audience. Friday shows are at 8pm, and Saturday shows are a matinee at 2.30pm, and an evening performance at 8pm.

There is a special preview night on Friday 6th January at 8pm, with tickets priced at £7. All other shows are priced £10 / £8 and a group booking offer – buy 8 tickets, get 2 free is also available.  To book your tickets, call into the Box Office at the Burnavon, telephone on 028 8676 9949, or book online at www.burnavon.com