Members of a cross-border community drama group in the Co Fermanagh area are set to host their first production since 2018.
Borderline Players will present a Little Bo Beep pantomime in the Termon Complex in Pettigo between Wednesday, April 12, and Saturday, April 15.
With cast members from Derrygonnelly , Irvinestown and Kesh as well as Belturbet and Pettigo, the group prides itself on bringing communities together through art.
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It will be the first pantomime staged by the group since 2018, with local organisation Garrison Working Together also getting involved to bring adults and young people from across the border together on stage, with many of those taking to the stage for the first time.
Borderline Players founder Siobhan O'Brien will also direct the show, and says the more than 80 strong cast are really excited about the performance.
"Little Bo Peep will be our first pantomime since the Covid-19 pandemic and we are delighted to finally be able to bring so many people together on stage again for this production," Siobhan said.
"We have a cast of 80+ children and adults with performers from towns and villages across Cavan, Fermanagh and Donegal – we have cast members from Belturbet, Derrygonnelly, Irvinestown, Kesh, Pettigo, Belleek and Garrison so it truly is a case of the arts bringing communities together."
Borderline Players has been supported by National Lottery funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, whose director Gilly Campbell highlighted the group's work in helping tackling isolation and loneliness in rural areas.
“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support this exciting project from Borderline Players through the Rural Engagement Arts Programme," Gilly said.
"We know that taking part in arts activities can raise self-esteem, boost confidence and motivation, as well as alleviate isolation and loneliness.
"The pandemic and the resulting lockdowns across the UK have taken a toll on individual lives, with mental health and well-being adversely effected and this has been particularly compounded in rural communities."
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