At the end of November, the vision of Lisbellaw Church of Ireland minister Reverend Stephanie Woods came to life on stage as her self-penned pantomime ‘Dancerella’ brought three nights of entertainment to the village.

Directed by Tracey Kernaghan and starring Lisbellaw locals, the hilarious pantomime had audience members in stitches.

Explaining the inspiration behind the pantomime, Rev. Woods said: “Several parishioners told me they didn’t know each other very well so I thought a parish play would sort that out. I unearthed an old play I had written for the children of Belleek Primary School when I was a teacher there, thought about it for a year turning over lines and characters in my head, and finally, earlier this year, rewrote it to suit Lisbellaw and an adult cast.”

With the script ready, Rev. Woods believed that the overall success of the pantomime would depend on utilising the many varied talents that lie within the parish.

“My first call was to Joan and Stephanie Wiggins as I knew their creative dancing skills and professional approach would be necessary to pull off the ‘dance’ in ‘Dancerella’.

“My next port of call was to the actors - all of whom wholeheartedly threw themselves into their parts. Tracey Kernaghan, a native of Lisbellaw, was then asked to direct and we were all delighted when she said yes. Finally Natasha Dane and Heather Humphreys agreed to head up the stage design with Andrew Lynn taking the lead in its construction,” shared Rev. Woods, adding: “I personally want to thank all the cast and crew who enthusiastically applied themselves to the learning of lines and dance moves, the rigours of costume and make up and the endless rehearsals (since May!) They are a marvellous, talented, energetic, committed and fun bunch of people.”

Although Tracey has directed a few productions locally, she described this recent creative collaboration in her homeplace of Lisbellaw as particularly personal.

“I was asked by Stephanie (Rev. Woods) to direct her self-penned script in May and little did I realise the wonderful journey I would embark upon as director,” Tracey shared.

“I have bossed, bawled and bantered with my fellow childhood companions. I have seen the characters of panto ‘Lisbellaw’ flourish and flower, and I have been touched at the integration of young and old. Creativity and drama allow an individual to be someone they are not, the production of ‘Dancerella’ has allowed the village of Lisbellaw to be what it truly is. I have seen a village of individuals come together to create, communicate and celebrate their ‘oneness’ and it has been humbling and beautiful,” she concluded.