President Des Moore greets Billy Bones, with club members Norman Maxwell (L) and Jim Nesbit (R)

Coleraine Probus meet Panto star 'Dame Fanny'

(With special thanks to Graham for this report)

In the 1950’s the tradition of local pantomimes started in the Coleraine Drama Club. This brought the Pantomime to a mass audience and provided a welcome source of income for that club. Billy outlined the development of pantomime starting with the Drama Club, Holy Trinity Ballywillan and Killowen Parish Church, then finally The Provincial Players founded in 1970 as a mixed religion group.

Panto time - but NOT in our town hall!

It was at Killowen Parish Church that Billy, as a child, was introduced to pantomime when Willie Kane, a local headmaster, played the part of the Dame. Here the seed was sown and eventually, after filling some minor roles, he reached his goal of playing the Dame. After some teething problems and to the amazement of all, 'Dame Fanny' had arrived on stage.

As the musical number says "There's nothing like a Dame!!!"

Billy said that he was greatly influenced by Willie Kane, Bobby Rankin and Bobby Riddell, all of whom played Panto Dames. He outlined his progress in the theatrical world, branching out to include script writing with Jeff Payne for pantomimes, to producing and directing plays with the Ballymoney Literary and Debating Society at the Portrush Summer Theatre, and then other drama festivals.

Billy Bones gives his talk to the club

One of Billy's proudest moments was when his production of “The Killing of Sister George”, came first in the province wide amateur theatre finals, held at the Lyric in Belfast.

Another side of Billy's life - President of the Bann Rowing Club

Even in difficult times, after the death of his father, the show must go on, and that was some form of comfort for Billy at the time. Throughout his stage life, Billy has been grateful for the encouragement given by John McDowell, Sean Magee, Bernard Stanley, David McClarty and John Malloy. For Billy, his life on stage, was a wonderful experience and there was nothing more rewarding than producing a thought, transferring it to the stage and making people happy with a show which was fit for family viewing - and the story of Billy's theatrical life certainly raised a lot of smiles from the Probus club members…

Jim Nesbit gives the 'Vote of thanks'…
"Oh no he didn't!"; "Oh yes he did!", "He's behind you!";
"Boo"; "Hiss"; Hooray!" … and so on, and on, and…