Will she get a hunk this year or not? That was the burning question at a reception on Wednesday to announce the £500,000 funding which the Gaiety Theatre has been awarded by the National Millennium Committee. If comedian June Rodgers behaves herself, says panto director Noel McDonough, she may end up with "a good looking fellow this year". Casting for Jack and the Beanstalk will carry on into next week, he says.
The Gaiety is "the pride of Ireland", says Cork-born Denis Desmond, the new owner of the theatre with his wife Caroline. "It's a magnificent building," he says, "but it has never had a helping hand. We very much appreciate this and we plan to match the funding that we've got." Announcing details of the funding, Seamus Brennan, chairman of the millennium committee, said he'd always wanted to perform in the Gaiety. The theatre has also been home to Opera Ireland since 1941, according to its general manager, David Callopy. The season will open with The Barber of Seville, at the end of November.