Robinson Crusoe cast members, from left, Geraldine Britton, Joseph Walsh, Liz Smith and Frances McGloin
THE Borderline Players are back on stage once tonight (Friday) with their production of Robinson Crusoe – The Pantomime.
The swashbuckling adventure will open at the Ardhowen Theatre on Friday, April 1st before moving to the Termon Complex in Pettigo on Friday, April 8th.
Directed by Siobhan O’Brien, Robinson Crusoe welcomes some very familiar faces back to the stage and the Borderline Players cast are sure to put their own twist on this pirates’ tale.
The pantomime begins in a small Irish fishing village, where the Crusoe family are down on their luck, but the death of a long-lost relative and surprise arrival of a treasure map sends them on a journey across the high-seas where they encounter some of pantomime’s most curious creatures and vilest villains.
With a principal cast of 15 and almost 80 children and extras from right across Fermanagh and Donegal, Siobhan has the unenviable task of bringing the production all together.
Speaking ahead of the opening night, Siobhan said: “Given the sheer numbers involved, putting together a large scale pantomime is a challenge. Despite this, I’m always encouraged by the support and enthusiasm of the team around me whether on-stage or behind the scenes, and that of the local audiences. Year-after-year they continue to show their appreciation of our efforts and I can assure them that Robinson Crusoe is one of our most spectacular productions yet.”
In the title role Killian McGloin is cast as Robinson Crusoe, Joseph Walsh dons the Dame’s dress once again as Ma Crusoe while Dean McGarrigle portrays her other son Willy. Frances McGloin and Geraldine Britton are the villains of the piece as the evil Blackbeard and Patch, Liz Smith plays Robinson’s sweetheart Polly Perkins and Nicole Beaumont joins the cast as Bessie Bowsprit. Borderline stalwarts Terry O’Connell and Liam McCauley return as Captain Bowsprit and Medicine Man, and joining Borderline Players for the first time is 13-year old Adam Dilworth who becomes Robinson’s sidekick Man Friday.
Robinson Crusoe will open at the Ardhowen Theatre on Friday, April 1st at 8pm. Performances will continue on Saturday 2nd with a 3pm matinee and 8pm evening show. The production will then move to the Termon Complex in Pettigo with performances on Friday, April 8th and Saturday 9th at 8pm. Tickets for the Ardhowen performances are available at the box office on 028 66 325440 or for the Pettigo shows can be reserved online at www.borderlineplayers.com