My Saturday Catherine Mahon Buckley
Catherine Mahon Buckley, Artistic director of the Cork Academy of Dramatic Arts, Picture: David Creedon
I’ll wake up and go through what needs to be covered for the day - personal, business, Panto.
I go to the gym every day for 45 minutes. I go to Ketogym because I can book my sessions on the app, roll out of bed and be there in five minutes. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have had the discipline, but over the past two years, I’ve lost 9.5 stones in weight thanks to gastric bypass surgery.
I’m diabetes free now, and, though I’m asthmatic, I haven’t had an antibiotic or steroid for two years. I’m sorry I didn’t do it years ago - your health really is your wealth. I was a ‘chipaholic’ - I lived off pizzas, burgers and curries because I was always so busy. Now I make sure to eat healthily and get the protein in.
I’ll take my vitamins and have a light breakfast. I like to take care over my makeup, hair and clothes - if I look good, I feel good and I act good. lf I feel crap I could be impossible to live with!
I’ll reflect on the previous week, plan the week ahead and put notes into my phone. In the run up to Christmas and New Year, a lot of that planning revolves around the Panto. When the Panto goes up on the 29th of November each year we are already discussing the title of the show for the following one. We also need to book up key people very early on.
Every five years, you have a new generation for Panto, so it’s very important to keep the storyline pure but to introduce topical things into it too. Young audiences now have a shorter attention span than they did 30 years ago so we have to ensure that they are never bored throughout the performance.
Thirty years ago we didn’t have audio-described performances and touch tours, ISL-interpreted performances and relaxed performances - it’s brilliant that we can make our performances inclusive now - the Panto is for everyone.
I run CADA Performing Arts, so I’ll go to the various studios to make sure that everything is ticking over — which it always is as I have great teachers and staff. In the run-up to Christmas, we’ll have dressing up, a visit from Santa, their Christmas plays — all that excitement.
At this time of year, we are right in the middle of the show run. I’ll head to the theatre and oversee the performers' warm-ups, I’ll make sure that the technical people have their preparations done and I’ll meet with the band to make sure they have everything organised. Panto is a live performance, so things can occasionally go wrong — someone could be sick, for example.
I’ll be watching the rehearsals, taking notes non-stop right up to press night and then once the show run begins the stage manager will send me a report after every show. I’m always keeping an eye to make sure that what is being delivered is of the highest possible standard. Every audience is the first audience - we never take anything for granted.
The performers and crew will take time out and I’ll slip out to get my hair done. If I have to go back to the theatre I will, but if not I’ll slip to my favourite shop, Diffusion Wear in Glanmire, for some retail therapy.
When I had the gastric bypass surgery, I had to get rid of all my clothes and the experts advocated for that too. It’s a transition that you have to be mentally ready for and I had to go to a psychologist before the surgery. I understand now that you have to be mentally prepared for the major steps that are involved — you have to be strong, and so does your family, as they have to walk the journey with you too.
If I’m not working, I’ll go to the Bell Vue Bar to hear great music from Anth Kaley who is also our musical director. I love entertaining at home and I still love to cook for people.
Even if I’m not at the Panto in the evening, I’m still living through every minute of it. I might be meeting up with friends but I'll be clock-watching in the back of my mind. When I know the show is coming down, I’ll breathe a sigh of relief. Physically, I may not be there, but mentally I’m there the whole time.
I might fall asleep on the couch, and my husband Ted will watch the programmes that I don’t particularly like. Due to the cat nap, I’ll then wake up like a Duracell Bunny and will watch my own programmes - I love Strictly Come Dancing and Judge Judy.
I could take a notion to do the ironing or to make dinner for the following day. I love listening to people on the radio talking about their lives and all types of music.
My bedtime could be 2.30am or 3am and then I’ll be up at 6.30 am like the lark. I can live off very little sleep — my mother said that even as a baby I never slept. It must be so boring to need eight hours of sleep — I’ll sleep long enough when I’m dead.
Cinderella runs at The Everyman until Sunday, Jan 11, 2026. Audio-described performance and touch tour: Sunday, Jan 4 at 3.30pm facilitated by BrÃd Nà Ghruagáin. ISL-interpreted performance Saturday, Jan 3 at 1.30pm facilitated by Ray Greene. Relaxed performance Sun, Jan 11 at 11am. everymancork.com.
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