Derrygonnelly Orange Hall was filled to the brim last week as the local community put on their production of ‘The Two Sons’.

The pantomime script was interpreted from the Bible parable of The Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11–32, interpreted for a modern age with the people of Derrygonnelly in mind by Rev. Stephanie Woods, rector of Inishmacsaint Parish Church, for the church’s Christmas pantomime.

Rev. Woods was also in the director’s chair for the duration of the rehearsal progress.

Many local faces from the Derrygonnelly area were in the limelight for the show which ran for four nights, with an extra show added to its run, such was the demand for tickets.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter ahead of the show, Rev. Woods said: “It is the story of The Prodigal Son, written for Derrygonnelly people.

“I’ve been there [as rector] for two years now, so I have sussed them out! I had written each character for them.

“It is very funny, and what makes it funny is they have all got so into it. Some of the lines, I had nothing to do with.”

For many of those who attended, the draw was the famous faces from across Derrygonnelly as they had their time in the spotlight.

The cast comprised 29 local people, assisted by a crew of 17, which helped the production run smoothly.

Of course, there was plenty of audience participation and lasting memories were made as the community came together for this special production.

This is not the first pantomime composed by Rev. Woods, who also wrote and directed a production of ‘Dancerella’, a re-telling of ‘Cinderella’ in her previous parish back in 2019.