Cinderella
Gateshead
International Stadium
Friday
6th to Sunday 29th December 2019
Son treading
the same boards as dad Brendan Healy
A
young comedian who grew up watching his dad make millions of people laugh on
stage and TV is following in his footsteps by joining the very pantomime
company that was always close to his dad’s heart.
 |
Finbar
Healy at the
Gateshead International Stadium
(John
Millard Photography)
|
Finbar
Healy, son of the late great, comedian, actor and musician Brendan Healy is
starring in the Geordie Panto Company’s production of Cinderella. Now in their
3rd consecutive year, the company create a modern theatre arena experience, which includes
a 700-seater family-friendly auditorium, state of the art light and sound
technology and fully accessible facilities.
Finbar
will be playing an Ugly Sister alongside the show's writer, Tyneside comic Maxie Peters, a role he is looking forward to
taking on.
“I
grew up with the panto in my blood. Dad was a founder of the company back in
1995, when it played to audiences at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre. As a child, I’ve
fond memories of helping in all of the different parts of the production from
hitting cymbals in the orchestra pit to selling merchandise and even getting up
on stage as the cute kid from the audience. I always found it funny when my dad
asked me my name.”
The
Company is proud of its North East roots and employs, a host of North East
talent both in front of the curtain and behind the scenes to bring its unique
brand of family festive entertainment.
This
year’s production of Cinderella once again has a very Geordie feel to it with
“fairy-tale” settings such as Dunston and Jesmond, plenty of Geordie humour and
local references and of course, not forgetting the Company’s popular 12 Days of Christmas routine which has had audiences in hysterics
for more than 20 years, all of which create the ingredients for a Christmas
feast of family entertainment.
Since
2017 the production has had a new home at Gateshead International Stadium. “People
are amazed at the auditorium we build from scratch every Christmas”, Finbar
says. “In literally one day, this huge empty space within the Stadium’s main
building facility becomes a 700-seat arena style theatre. The first magical
experience hits you when you walk in and see the fantastic lights, huge stage
and the live band strikes up the opening music”.
It’s
not just the internal transformations however, that make a visit to this pantomime
a fantastic family experience. Located just 15 minutes from Newcastle city
centre, with free car parking plus public transport links, including the “Gateshead
Stadium” Metro station which is walking distance from the venue thus you can leave
city centre traffic jams, parking issues and delays behind.
From
Tynemouth, father of three, Finbar is looking forward to involving his
children, Adaline (2), Elise (12) and Arya (11 months) in the production just
like his dad did with him.
“Kids
of all ages just love panto and the Geordie Panto Company is in my blood thanks
to my dad. I want my children to have the same warm memories that I have at
this special time of year. Christmas
is a time for family, fun and being festive and this is exactly what this panto
is all about. We give Cinderella the Geordie treatment and everyone in the
audience no matter what age will love it. Being
in this panto has brought me even closer to my dad. He lived and breathed it
and I get the feeling that he is watching over me and giving me his blessing
and support. It’s almost as if “he’s behind me!”
Tickets:
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