The feeling backstage before the Lakeland Players put on their pantomime each year is full of excitement.
There can be a hint of nervousness in the air too, as everyone involved wants each show to be the best it can be.
The Green Room is a real hive of activity, and there is always a great buzz around it as the cast put on their stage make-up and costumes.
It is fair to say it is a very happy place, full of laughter and good fun, and by the time the curtain opens, it is all smiles and happy faces.
The Lakeland Players has always been a huge part of many people’s lives, myself included.
My father, Stephen Kettyles, has been director of the group for 25 of the past 26 years, only taking a break during the production of 'Cinderella' in 2002.
My brothers, Ben and Tom, have both been involved backstage, in the orchestra and on stage.
My mother, Mary Carney; her sisters, Jane, Anne-Louise, Claire and Sarah; and my grandfather, Mickey Carney, have also been involved in the Lakeland Players since the very early days of the group.
When referring to the Lakeland Players, members often use the term 'panto family' to describe the community of people, who make so many memories together over the course of each season.
Reflecting on the family-feel of the group, Ben Kettyles said: “The Lakeland Players has been a huge part of life for everyone involved, with lots of people being involved for many years.
"We have put on some great shows over the years, but ultimately the real ‘panto magic’ is found in the people and the connections that have been made."
He added: “If we can brighten up the post-Christmas period for some people, then we have done our job.”
I had a cameo role when I was a baby in 2012 in 'Sleeping Beauty', but when I officially joined in 2019, the pantomime was 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', and I was in the chorus.
I can still vividly remember the feeling of being on stage for the first time and all the craic I had with my new 'panto family'.
I remember singing and dancing to 'My Favourite Things' from 'The Sound of Music' alongside a real stalwart of the panto, Barry Gibson, and having the time of my life.
That sense of belonging is still present with me today, even after the years of Covid-19 when we were unfortunately unable to put on our pantomime.
Chorus member and Devenish College student Lucy Muldoon, from Derrygonnelly, feels the same way.
She said: “The Lakeland Players is more than just a local theatre group, it’s a family full of memories and friendships that last a lifetime.”
In recent years, one area the Lakeland Players has excelled in is special effects, including notably the beanstalk that magically grew, and the especially large giant from 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in 2024, operated by Ben Kettyles, who played the giant.
Cinderella’s carriage and magic dress this year (2026) have also received high praise for their glamour and the seamless transitions each night.
The carriage was designed and built by Stephen Kettyles and Barry Gibson. The carriage was fitted with LED lights and decorated with golden leaves to add to the already spellbinding scene.
Another firm favourite with audiences was the magic carpet from 'Aladdin' in 2025, when Laoise Doherty (Princess Jasmine) and Wayne Moohan (Aladdin) sang 'A Whole New World' as they flew across the stage and over the heads of the audience.
This received rapturous applause and standing ovations on multiple nights.
As director, Stephen has always been keen to push the boundaries of production and try new things.
On many occasions, effects engineered and imagined by Stephen have brought scenes to life that many would not have thought possible in the Ardhowen Theatre, most notably the flying scene from 'Peter Pan' in 2008.
When asked about this iconic moment, he said: “We managed to secure the services of Flying by Foy, the legendary United Kingdom company, to come over and fly Peter Pan [Susannah Hughes Jordan] around the Ardhowen stage.
"To top it all off, we could also fly the three Darling children off to Neverland, including Bronagh McCahery, Gary Quinn and Wayne Moohan, but at least he was able to fly back and join us for many shows since, including this year as Prince Charming.”
Wayne Moohan has since become a successful actor in London, and credits his start with the Lakeland Players.
He said: “I’ve been very fortunate to have spent the last four years since leaving drama school making my living by acting professionally.
“I owe it all to my time with the Lakeland Players. If I hadn’t nurtured that dream as a young boy, I may never have had the ability or experience to make it a career, let alone a hobby.
“Stephen Kettyles gave me my first speaking part in 'Peter Pan' when I was 11, and it has all taken off from there, literally. The show in the Ardhowen every January remains the highlight of my year.”
Stephen first joined the Lakeland Players in 1993 playing Dandini in 'Cinderella'.
He explained: ““I had gone to see my friend Paul Doherty play Robin Hood in 'Babes in the Wood' the previous year, and he encouraged me to get involved.
"I acted on stage for many years until I first wrote and directed 'Sleeping Beauty' in 2000, our millennium panto.”
Stephen also wrote and directed this year’s pantomime, 'Cinderella'. It marks a special full-circle moment for him — from starting out with the Lakeland Players as Dandini in 'Cinderella' in 1993 to directing the best-loved pantomime of them all, 'Cinderella', again in 2026.
On the final night of the pantomime, the Lakeland Players paid tribute to their outgoing director who ventured onto the stage, one final time.
In a social media post, a Lakeland Players spokesperson said: “This weekend saw our director Stephen Kettyles oversee his last show as director after leading us through the last 25 years, and what a 25 years it has been!
“It is not in Stephen’s nature to want a fuss made about these kinds of things, but we couldn’t let this occasion pass without showing our appreciation for the effort and commitment he has given to our group over the years.
"There are not enough superlatives to describe the impact Stephen has had on the Lakeland Players, and it is not an understatement to say that he has been the driving force behind all of our productions."
They continued: “Stephen has been the backbone of productions that have brought joy to thousands of people through the years, and inspired many young people who have come through our group.
"His passion for the arts and his professional attitude is infectious.
“ Indeed, many of our young members have gone on to make successful professional careers in theatre and been effusive about the importance of Stephen and the Lakeland Players’ role in their development."
Thanking him for his dedication, the spokesperson concluded: “Our group would not be what it is today without Stephen’s tireless dedication, so much of which goes completely unseen through the year.”
Susanna Kettyles is a Year 12 student at St. Fanchea's College in Enniskillen and completed this article as part of her work experience with The Impartial Reporter last week. We thank her for her enthusiasm and wish her well for the future.
