An Audience with May McFettridge

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I had to sit down and watch the movie with Eve to get to know the storyline and see what actually happened," laughs the north Belfast comedian, who is excited by the new challenge. The tour had opened on 20 January at the Grand Opera House in Belfast, Jimmy’s birth place though he has lived in Rochdale for many years with his wife May Mulgrew. Northern Ireland’s largest pantomime is back for another magical year at the Grand Opera House, Belfast with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The Grand Opera House pantomime is staged by Olivier award-winning producer Michael Harrison on behalf of Crossroads Pantomimes, the biggest pantomime producer in the world.

Meet the Australian pop-rocker G Flip, who recently released their new single/music video, “Good Enough,” a track lifted from their latest album, DRUMMER.In 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic the Grand Opera House announced that their annual pantomime would not take place and was rescheduled to the 2021/22 season. May will be joined on stage by the hilarious Phil Walker, who recently toured with comedy superstar Jason Manford, as Muddles, and Paddy Jenkins who featured in the Oscar and BAFTA award-winning short film An Irish Goodbye, as The Wicked Queen’s Henchman. Appearing in his trademark outfit of cut-off evening trousers, dinner jacket, hat and Wellington boots marked ‘L’ and ‘R’ for left and right, but worn on the wrong feet, his routine was a fast-moving, gag-a-minute, focusing on his unique interpretation of Irish logic. When asked if A Happy Medium was a sign he may want to do more out of the world of panto, May answered the question for him.

This year’s show will be spectacularly brought to life from page to stage by a talented cast and creative team and features the Grand Opera House pantomime hallmark of an abundance of comedy, sensational songs and dance numbers, fabulous costumes, stunning scenery, and special effects. In the hands of her softly-spoken alter ego John Linehan, she has become something of a cultural icon - part of the Christmas furniture at the Opera House, where, in the 101 years of its life, she has given more performances than any other person, real or imagined, living or dead. But I'm not one for drinking in the house, only on Christmas Day, and even then I have two shows the day before Christmas Day and two on Boxing Day so there's no point in having a hangover. And he finished the piece with: “My favorite act of the evening was the last one, James Mulgrew, best known as Jimmy Cricket.The set and costumes are a feast for the eyes and one of the biggest challenges for the panto dame is fitting in – and out – of the elaborate costumes.

In September, May made her operatic debut in Opera NI's Johann Strauss operetta Die Fledermaus – a thoroughly enjoyable experience, but not one that has made John want to sign up for opera singing classes.I recognised him from the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime in which he stole the show with his humour; timing and sense of fun. the room was so atmospheric with double height ceilings gorgeous red velvet drapes just add to the cozy feelings. I’ll go over to the Fortwilliam Golf Club for an hour, have a few beers and let Brenda (his wife) and the rest of them cook and get out of their way. This was a very professional performance from start to finish with perfect casting of the main characters. John Linehan, 71, is the person who knows her better than most and the story of how May became May is one of happenstance.

Or will the Beast’s selfishness cost him the world he once knew and the hand of the girl who has melted his heart? Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to pantoland and a serving of one-liners from panto Queen May McFettridge. Playing her 33rd Grand Opera House panto, May, aka John Linehan, didn’t disappoint in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.This Christmas May will play the Nurse in the Opera House's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with Swedish blonde Britt Eklund and former skating champion Robin Cousins cast in the unenviable roles of the celebrity sacrificial lambs. And how does John feel knowing that the character has become so iconic that it'd be recognised throughout Northern Ireland. All the cast were excellent but I have to make special mention of Captain Hook who was portrayed brilliantly by David Bedella. Linehan is also involved in charity work, appearing regularly in Northern Ireland's Children in Need broadcasts, and organising events such as golfing tournaments to help raise money for Children of the Crossfire.