![\"Myles](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/4898675_8_articleinlinemobile_panto_20dame_1_.jpg\" "\\"Myles")
Myles Breen, who stars in this year’s Specsavers Limerick Panto, Cinderella at University Concert Hall from December 15 until January 11.<\/p>\nIt was during a production of Mother Goose last year that a young audience member found her way on stage and managed the unthinkable.<\/p>\n
The little girl of around eight made herself comfortable in a bed that formed part of the set design. Laughter rippled through the audience as she proceeded to tuck herself in. She just wanted to be part of the story.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, as long as you\u2019re comfortable dear,\u201d I told her. I addressed the child\u2019s father and told him he was welcome to collect her from the stage whenever he was ready. It was yet another reminder that a pantomime dame needs to always expect the unexpected.<\/p>\n
This was a particularly special moment, however. The relaxed performances we stage for children with sensory issues always are. On this particular occasion, I didn\u2019t want to rush the child off stage. It was important to us that we were very careful as she might have been overwhelmed. We also realise it\u2019s a huge deal for some parents whose children might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy panto without the relaxed performances.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not the first time we have been forced to go off script, but that\u2019s all part of the fun of panto.<\/p>\n
Myles Breen, who stars in this year’s Specsavers Limerick Panto, Cinderella at University Concert Hall from December 15 until January 11.<\/p>\n
Another funny moment saw me frantically trying to guide Daisy the cow, who was unable to see where she was going.<\/p>\n
From what I can remember, that was Jack and the Beanstalk and I was playing Jack\u2019s mother. The cow was played by two dancers who were finding the costume tricky to manoeuvre. I found myself trying to guide the cow off stage but she couldn\u2019t see where she was going and knocked down two trees and some other parts of the set.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t contain my laughter at this giant cow who was completely out of the control.<\/p>\n
![\"Myles](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/4896626_16_articleinlinemobile_UCH_20Panto_20Jack_26BeanS_20148.jpg\" "\\"Myles")
Myles Breen as Mammy Muck in the Robert C Kelly & University Concert Hall Limerick Panto “Jack & The Beanstalk”. Photo: Sean Curtin True Media.<\/p>\n
Panto is different to other theatre genres in that if a character forgets a line or makes a mistake, we draw attention to it. It\u2019s all good because the audience is in on the joke as well. There have been many highlights since I started my panto career in the Everyman Palace theatre in Cork playing Pinocchio.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At 61, I\u2019m a bit long in the tooth to play that part now. The dame, on the other hand, is timeless, so I\u2019ll be playing that role for as long as my legs hold up.<\/p>\n
My foray into the glorious world of damehood came 25 years ago. I started working in the Belltable in Limerick with director Richie Ryan and writer Mike Finn. Titled Down to the Woods, it was a mixture of various pantos. It was a baptism of fire as I was playing three dames that included an ugly sister, a witch and Jack\u2019s mother.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The high heels were tricky at first and you\u2019re dealing with a lot of wigs. Nonetheless, a costume is a costume and I\u2019ve become accustomed to playing all kinds of parts over the years.<\/p>\n
![\"University](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/4896635_14_articleinlinemobile_Myles_20Breen_20as_20UCH_20Panto_20Dame._20Photo_20True_20Media_1_.jp.jpeg\" "\\"University")
University Concert Hall Panto Snow White. Photo: Oisin McHugh True Media.<\/p>\n
This year will be my eighth time playing an ugly sister. I\u2019m so familiar with the character that it\u2019s like trying on a pair of old slippers. I always say that playing Cinderella is much harder than the ugly sister because Cinderella has to be genuine and make the kids fall in love with her by being really genuine and nice. Meanwhile, the ugly sisters can pull as many faces as they like and have fun with being really nasty.<\/p>\n
While I look a lot different without the wig and make-up I have been recognised on the street. It\u2019s the parents who normally make the connection.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their children aren\u2019t easily convinced that it\u2019s me until I open my mouth and do the voice. They are always very warm and friendly. Being a dame has made me realise just how nice and kind people really are.<\/p>\n
Panto is a little bit different for me now when compared to previous years. Now, that I\u2019m older I have to be a bit more careful of myself so I tend to watch my health a lot. The performances are full on so I\u2019ll make sure to always have Lemsip and honey to hand. I have to do my utmost to ensure my voice is looked after.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s nice to think that I\u2019ve been doing this for such a long time and I\u2019m still loving it. The best part for me is that I haven\u2019t become tired or jaded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I love introducing new audiences to panto. I have nieces and nephews scattered across different parts of the world who have all come to see what their uncle Myles does for a living.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They might meet for the first time and the following day they are coming to watch me dancing on stage in a dress. It\u2019s a challenging job for any actor because panto is a marathon, not a sprint. No two shows are ever the same, but I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way.<\/p>\n