BILLY & THE BEANSTALK
CAST MEMBERS
Damien Douglas - BILLY DOOLITTLE
Damien studied at Bull Alley Theatre School Dublin. As an accomplished performer he has starred in many leading roles. At the Waterford International Festival Of Light Opera, Damien was awarded Best Comedian for his portrayal of Ko-Ko in The Hot Mikado and for Cosmo in Singin In The Rain 2005. He has also received two A.I.M.S awards, Best Actor for the role of Ugly in 'Honk' and Best Comedian for the role of Cosmo in 'Singin In the Rain'.
He was lead vocalist MC with the June Rodgers Cabaret show for 8 seasons. TV & Film credits include “The Late Late Show, Northangor Abbey & The Tudors.
Damien has always had a great love for pantomime, which began with principal roles in 'Rockin Hood' and 'Puss in Boots' at the Olympia Theatre with Twink & Dustin the Turkey, Liberty Hall's 'Sleeping Beauty' and, most recently, Ireland’s first touring panto, 'Beauty and the Beast' at INEC Killarney and the National Opera House Wexford. His Buttons McFlately performance in Cinderella in 2019 is already legendary and that was followed by another amazing performance as Billy in 'Snow White' in our 2021 Panto. He is looking forward to working with everyone in this production of Billy and The Beanstalk.
Mary Byrne - FAIRY MARY
Mary Byrne’s story is the stuff of fairytales and movies. She’s the Tesco supermarket checkout lady who took a chance in life at the age of fifty by auditioning for Britain and Ireland’s biggest TV talent show, The X-Factor. Although she went home during the semi-final, Mary won the hearts of millions with her warm personality and powerhouse voice.
When she finally got her life-changing break in the world of showbusiness, Mary Byrne, a bright and ambitious woman with a wealth of life’s experiences under her belt, was determined to make the most of it. During ITV's X-Factor Mary was mentored by Louis Walsh, and her fellow finalists included One Direction and Matt Cardle. Since then, Mary has performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her historic State visit to Ireland in 2011, and shared the stage with Neil Diamond to perform for over 55,000 fans at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, appeared in the musical Grease in The Bord Gais, and the Pantomime Snow White in The Tivoli. Mary has been very busy since her last appearance in Longford and has tour with several sell out shows including Dirty Dusting.
Mary is thrilled to be back with her Longford family following her debut in 2019 as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella followed by Fairy Nuff in Snow White 2021.
Davy Flaherty - GLORIA DOOLITTLE
Davy is no stranger to the stage having joined St. Mel’s Musical Society Longford in the early noughties for their production of Fiddler on the Roof, playing the role of “Avram”. Davy has since played lead roles in Billy Liar (Billy Fisher) Annie (Rooster) My Fair Lady (Freddy Eynsford-Hill) Sweet Charity (Oscar Lindquist) Carousel (Jigger) and Honk (The Cat), just to name a few. Davy has also enjoyed many roles with Backstage Theatre Group Longford and had the pleasure of landing a part in Canal Studios production of “The Carnival at Glenaduff” written and directed by writer in residence at the time Padraic McIntyre. Davy also toured with Beezneez for their production of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” written and directed by John McDwyer, playing the role of “Dusty”. This is Davy’s third Panto having played a brilliant Ugly sister in Cinderella and one half of the duo Tik and Tok in 'Snow White' 2021.
Sean Hendley - GRISLY
Seán is delighted to be involved in the Longford Panto 2022; “Billy & the Beanstalk.” Seán made his stage debut in 2007 in Avonmore Musical Society’s production of Some Like it Hot. Since then, he has gone on to enjoy various roles, winning an AIMS award for Best Comedian (Gilbert Section) for his portrayal of Franz Liebkind in Teachers Musical Society’s production of The Producers, in 2018. Other roles include:
Musical Theatre (AIMS): Reverend Shaw Moore (Footloose,) Wizard/Professor Marvel (Wizard of Oz,) Éamon De Valera (Michael Collins,) Professor Callahan (Legally Blonde,) Franz Liebkind (The Producers) - AIMS Award Winner Best Comedian 2018, Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar,) Bill Sykes (Oliver,) Lurch (The Addams Family)-Irish Premiere, Gaston (Beauty & the Beast,) Tin Man (Wizard of Oz,) Glen Guglia (The Wedding Singer,) Sky Masterson (Guys & Dolls) & Rooster (Annie)
Theatre: Dracula (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, adapt.Charles Morey) – The Abbey Centre, Clane 2019.
Lanky & various roles (Alone it Stands – John Breen) - Gorey Little Theatre, 2016.
Pantomime Lumiére – (Red Cow Panto) – Morans Red Cow Inn, 2018.
Seán also appeared as featured ensemble in “Forget Me Not” in the National Concert Hall, Dublin in 2014 & “Songs for a New World” in the Mermaid Arts Theatre, Bray in 2012.
He would like to wish cast, crew and everyone involved in “Billy & the Beanstalk,” the very best of luck.
Niamh O'Brien - ARIANA
Niamh is a student from Shroid, Co Longford. She has been a member of Evolution Stage School for the past 12 years, performing in hundreds of shows over this time. She is a member of St Mel’s Musical Society and UCD Musical Society, with the most recent productions in which she was involved being ‘Sister Act’ and ‘Once’. Niamh is also a member of the Leinster Scor na nOg winning Killoe Ballad group. In addition to performing on stage Niamh is a qualified makeup artist and was the makeup artist for the 2019 Longford Traditional Panto ‘Cinderella’. Niamh is TIKTOK famous with over 75,000 followers and millions of views on her amazing makeup videos. Niamh is currently studying in UCD and and is a member of their musical society. She was and orchestra member for their production of 'Once' and a member of the chorus for 'Urinetown'. She most recently choreographed their production of 9 to 5. Niamh is very excited to be both taking to the stage this year as Ariana and also working as a makeup artist behind the scenes.
Aoibhínn is a 16 year old Transition Year student from Virginia Co. Cavan. She attends Virginia College and has sung at many school concerts. She has been a member of Evolution Stage School Longford since was 8 years old and has performed in many Evolution shows in the Backstage Theatre Longford along with performing in The Snowman in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.
This is Aoibhínn's 3rd year with Longford Panto having being part of the senior chorus in Cinderella and Snow White. She is delighted to be taking on a lead role of Ariana this year and is looking forward to a great run with a fantastic cast.
Aoibhínn Macken - ARIANA
Valerie Sheils - BARONESS DARIA
Valerie, who is no stranger to Longford audiences, has been singing for as long as she can remember and spent her youth performing in John Player Tops of The Town. She later had her voice classically trained and this has stood to her as she can easily switch from classical pieces to pop, rock or musical theatre. Valerie got the drama bug and acting led her to join St Mel’s Musical Society Longford where she played several lead roles in their sell out runs in Backstage Theatre. Her performances in The Addams Family, All Shook Up, Sister Act and most recently 9 to 5 received rave reviews from audiences. She can often be found singing with her band Neon at corporate events and parties and is very exited about an upcoming project that involves a 5 piece band. Valerie is delighted to be playing the Baroness Daria in Billy and The Beanstalk in her home town.
Iarlaith O'Rourke - GLOOM (and Chef)
Former St. Mel’s College student Iarlaith is no stranger to the stage, having previously played the part of Pugsley in the 2016 production of “The Addams Family” and Josh Newstead in “9 to 5” in 2019 with St Mel's Musical Society Longford.
His initial introduction to St. Mel’s Musical Society saw him perform as a member of the children’s chorus in “Carousel” in 2012 and “Oliver” in 2014.
Iarlaith is a member of Evolution Stage School since it opened in Longford in 2009. At just eight years of age he made his first solo appearance in Backstage Theatre when he sang “The Rose” in Evolution Stage School’s first production in 2010. He has also performed with them at established venues like the Mullingar Arts Centre, George Bernard Shaw Theatre Carlow, Roscommon Arts Centre, The Bord Gais Dublin and undoubtedly the highlight of all, appearing in the Mahony Hall in The Helix Theatre Dublin for the Evolution Stage School 5th Anniversary two night sell out show in 2015, where he was a soloist. Iarlaith has also performed on several occasions with Longford Variety Group in their annual fundraising shows in Backstage Theatre. He's very excited to be returning to the Panto stage to play the role of Tok. Currently studying to a be primary school teacher in Marino Institute Dublin, Iarlaith is a member of the college musical society and has taken part in their production of 9to5 and will be in their February production of All Shook Up.
Conor McLoughlin - DOOM (and Giant)
Conor from Ballymahon made his musical theatre debut for St. Mel’s Musical Society as a member of a chorus in “Fiddler On The Roof” in 2015 and went on to perform the part of Lurch in the 2016 production “The Addams Family”. A year later he was cast in another principal role, playing 'Dean' in “All Shook Up” and followed that playing 'Joe' in their 2019 production 9 to 5.. He has a great interest in all things musical and theatrical, being involved in productions in both Backstage Theatre Longford and Bog Lane Theatre, Ballymahon.
Conor is also a member of Evolution Stage School since 2009, taking part in many of their terrific productions. In 2015 he performed with the Evolution company in their show at the Helix Theatre in Dublin.
He was also a soloist in the St Mel's Musical Society fundraisers "A Night on Broadway" for the past few years. As part of Backstage Youth Theatre, Conor has both performed and worked back stage in productions. Conor is also working as assistant stage manager for this production. He is also a member of St. Matthew's Church Choir, Ballymahon and plays piano and guitar. He is really looking forward to his role in Billy and The Beanstalk.
EVOLUTION STAGE SCHOOL CHORUS and DANCERS