Bluebeard returns to Pettigo to celebrate Borderline Players 25th Anniversary

Pantomime fever hits Pettigo this week as Borderline Players prepare for their long-awaited return to the stage with a very special reprisal of the hilarious pantomime, Bluebeard, kick-starting the group’s 25thanniversary celebrations. 

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The group first came together in September 2000, staging their first pantomime in April 2021, so this production will begin a year of commemorative festivities for the company. 

Bluebeard was staged all the way back in 2012 and was the final production to be showcased in the old Pettigo Community Centre which had been home to Borderline Players since the very beginning according to producer and director, Siobhan O’Brien. When it came to choosing a suitable pantomime for the anniversary year, this one seemed like the obvious choice with its mix of humour, drama, dance, music and of course a fabulous cast. 

This year the cast includes a host of very recognisable faces and indeed some new additions to the group. Siobhan explained that one of the most important things for her is to continue introducing new blood to the group each year but that she is delighted to have the regular stalwarts that audiences know and love back treading the boards once again. 

Returning to the stage in his first pantomime since 2012, Paddy Duggan, an original cast member will star once again as the ‘henchman with a hump’ Lurkin. Paddy’s performance in the original production left such a memory that Siobhan approached Paddy to take on the part once again as he was leaving the audience after last year’s Pantomime, Robin Hood. 

Following his villainous turn last year, Aiden Gilroy will continue with his evil streak, starring at the titular character, Baron Bluebeard, and he sets his lustful sights on the lovely Flora Rockbottom, played once again by leading lady, Liz Smith. Liz is another long-time Borderline Players cast member, first joining the group in 2002 and now joined in the ensemble by three of her children, so for some of the cast it really is a family affair. 

A new addition to the team this year is Tracey Brown Kernaghan from Enniskillen. Tracey might be a new face to Borderline audiences but she is an acting pro, having starred in many pantomimes with the Lakeland Players and enjoyed leading roles with a number of local acting companies. Tracey will star as the mysterious and somewhat creepy house-keeper, Miss Shivers. Siobhan McNamee O’Donnell is back once again this year following her stage debut in 2024, starring as Ma Rockbottom and Borderline regular Alison Lappin is cast as French Maid, Marie. 

Every pantomime needs a good comedy double act, and there’s nobody better at acting the clown on the Termon Complex stage than medical professionals, Frances McGloin and Aideen Casey as Fetch and Carry. Their antics over the past few years have gone down a storm with audiences and we have no doubt that they’ll have us rolling around the aisles again this year. 

After a few years away from the stage, travelling the world, Killian McGloin is back and once again takes on the role of Principal Boy, Robin who must use every trick in the book to thwart Bluebeards dastardly plans for his beloved Flora. 

The final principal cast member will need no introduction, even his character’s name has become something of a local legend! Joseph Walsh will once again don the famous green dress and wig and transform into the Mistress of Mayhem, Ruby Rockbottom! Ruby took on a life of her own after the original production back in 2012 and her celebrity status grew in the months and years after that show so we are delighted that over a decade later we get to bring Ruby back to life all over again to cause even more chaos than before!

Bluebeard is only the first part of the celebrations planned for the 25th anniversary. Later this year the group will host the Borderline 25 Ball with tickets available during the pantomime and it is sure to be one of the biggest nights in the group’s history. 

Bluebeard will take to the stage at the Termon Complex Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, April 22, 23, 25 and 26 with an early start time of 7pm. Tickets are available online at facebook.com/borderlineplayers, at Feelin Fruity in Belleek or by emailing borderlineplayers@hotmail.com. They will also be available to collect at designated times from the Termon Complex. For details see Facebook or contact 00353 7198 61111. 

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