Pupils to perform in panto at Notre Dame High in Greenock

Months of hard work and practice will pay off later today when the youngsters perform their production of ‘Peter Panto’ for the first time.

The show is full of laughs, music and colourful costumes and is the second pantomime the school has staged since the pandemic.

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While the cast is made up of pupils first-, second- and third-year students, senior pupils and staff have also pitched in to help make sure it is a success.

Greg McGonigal, who is principal teacher of music at Notre Dame and the show’s musical director, told the Tele that the cast were raring to go.

He said: “We have a number of fourth and fifth year helpers who have been choreographing, teaching songs and being part of the band.

“The whole school is getting involved.

“Everyone is really eager and keen to perform, it’s such a tradition here at Notre Dame.

“I’m very grateful to the staff for their help, we’ve been rehearsing a lot the last couple of days and have a number of staff helping out backstage, front of house and with our raffle.

“Once we’ve done our job helping them get ready, it’s down to the cast, and they take it all in their stride.

“I’m sure when the curtains come up for our first matinee performance it’ll be magical.”

In an effort to involve its wider community in the production, Notre Dame has invited local primary schools to come along to its matinee performances and opened up the evening shows to the public.

Zoey Jack, 13, who is playing Tinkerbell, is excited about the show opening.

She added: “We’ve been rehearsing a lot but I think it’s going to pay off because it’s been looking really good so far. It’s going to be a great show.”

Fifth year pupil Lucy McCracken, who missed out on her opportunity to star in the panto because of the pandemic, said she was glad she had been given the chance to play a part by helping out.

She added: “I’ve been helping out with choreographing.

“I missed out on the panto because of the pandemic so it’s nice to be a part of it now.

“It’s really nice to see the younger ones improve over the months that we work with them.”

Notre Dame’s panto takes place on November 27, 28 and 29, with both matinee and evening performances. Tickets can be purchased from cast members or by phoning the school office.