By The Canvas Editor Aimee Donnelly.
The Drama Societies’ ‘A Panto Carol’, written and directed by Ed Whelan, brought the festive spirit and a fresh spark to the classic Dickens story, mixing comedy, musical theatre, and modern chaos.
From the moment the ensemble burst into “At the End of the Day”, it was clear the cast was locked in, buzzing with energy and feeding off the excitement of a packed stage.
Sean Food’s Scrooge led the story with a performance that balanced grumpy humour and genuine emotional work. Stating that his favourite moment came in Act Two’s graveyard scene, where Scrooge confronts the consequence of his greed – an exchange made electric by Andre O’Sullivan’s energetic Young Scrooge.
Sean admitted that the hardest part was juggling comedy with sincerity, especially when other cast members were desperately trying to break him onstage.
He later reflected that he’d aim to be “a bit more expressive next time,” saying Andrew’s grounded, physical approach inspired him throughout the run of shows.
He spoke warmly to future DCU Drama members, encouraging them to get involved, describing the whole experience as “incredibly fun and well managed,” and the people as “quality.”
The three ghosts each brought their own style. Ava D’Arcy appeared almost dreamlike on stage as the ghost of Christmas past, while Aaron Casey lit up the stage with a contagious enthusiasm as the ghost of Christmas present.
Aaron said tech day was his favourite part of the entire process – lounging in comfy clothes, making TikToks, and feeling the show coming to life. He admitted joining a new cast was daunting at first, but said the group was so kind-hearted that settling in “became very easy and very quick.”
Sinead Carey’s Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come arrived with a chill. Her performance of “No One Mourns the Wicked” was one of the most powerful vocal moments of the night.
She joked about being nervous for her final note, crediting the cast and Musical Director Lucy McGrath for helping her feel safe. Sinead added that her favourite performance was night two, but night three had the best atmosphere, complete with added jokes and the excitement of closing night.
Zoë O’Goeman’s Marley was a highlight, bouncing between menace and mischief. She said her favourite moment was trying to keep a straight face in the office scene opposite Andrew’s Young Scrooge. She laughed about the vocal challenge of “shady,” admitting she “did not overcome” singing it up the octave, but gave a powerful performance nonetheless.
The Cratchit scenes, led by Kate O’Gorman and Rachel Wood, gave the show its emotional grounding. Their voices blended beautifully during “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is” and the group number “It’s Quiet Uptown”.
Their warmth onstage helped anchor Scrooge’s eventual transformation. Tiny Tim, played by Oisín O’Donnell, delivered sweet sincerity earning a positive reaction from the audience.
If the Production team were the backbone of the show, the ensemble was its heartbeat filling the stage with character, movement, and little comedic details that made every scene feel alive.
Rose Halpin said the chaotic fight sequence in “Sparkling Diamonds” was one of her favourite parts of the entire run, describing it as “super fun and chaotic.” She also said she’d “savour rehearsals more,” especially after finding the experience easier thanks to strong friendships among the cast.
Sophie Hickey added that her favourite moments were her “collecting for charity line” which got laughs from the audience, and the dances in “Anything Goes” and “When You’re Good to Marley,” with night two being a personal highlight for her because her family were in the audience.
Isabel González added a lovely touch of heart as Cora, saying she enjoyed the entire experience so much that she wouldn’t change a thing.
She said that “Fairytale of New York” was her favourite scene to perform, and that the final night – full of Christmas jumpers, backstage singing, and emotional speeches – was something she’ll never forget. She encouraged future students to audition next year, calling the experience “wonderful.”
The finale, “Fairytale of New York,” captured everything the production did well: strong vocals, lighthearted humour, and a cast who genuinely loved performing together. The audience could feel the connection between the cast and the excitement of the show.
What made ‘A Panto Carol’ stand out wasn’t just the musical choices or its lively staging; it was the clear sense of community behind it. The cast repeatedly praised the production team, with many saying they didn’t fully realise how much work went into every rehearsal until they saw it all come together.
Sean Flood described the entire experience as welcoming, supportive, and fun, encouraging anyone curious about DCU Drama to get involved next semester. A sentiment that was echoed by cast members across the board, who spoke warmly about the friendships, late-night rehearsals, and shared nerves that helped to shape the show.