Going to the panto in 2018, in the midst of a gender-centric, #metoo-conscious, politically correct audience has its advantages. With three sons, one takes every opportunity to find teachable moments in our time together. So even though the genie steals the show, the real magic is the powerful princess panto protagonist Jasmine. She’s strong, straight talking, swashbuckling. “This girl doesn’t need looking after,” she tells Aladdin.

Who better to give the lowdown on the Oscar red carpet than Don O’Neill, the Irish designer who was Oprah’s choice for the Academy Awards? Carolyn Moore reports.

Ed Power spent the weekend at Ireland’s first Bowie Festival

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Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Aladdin lends a helping hand, Dumbo flies alongside X-Wing ships, and Olaf has his train of thought interrupted in this fantastic mash-up trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens featuring Disney characters.

The rumours of Port Wine’s demise have thankfully been exaggerated. While the market is overly seasonal in nature (that is, Christmas), and sales are down, sales of one style are definitely up.

Colette Keane says the magic is still strong with Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic. Just be ready to sing-along with those classic tunes

Colette Keane says the magic is still strong with Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic. Just be ready to sing-along with those classic tunes

The latest Disney title gives players the chance to explore the magical world of Castleton and mingle with some very famous inhabitants.

Director of the Montfort College of Performing Arts Trevor Ryan is up to his eyes in pantomime, which is his favourite genre of theatre.

Cork Opera House: Judging by the shapes thrown at Cork Opera House last night, there can be no debate about the number one festive dance craze: ‘What Does the Fox Say?’.

A new TG4 documentary recalls the famous Turkish delights from the Hadji Beyshop in Cork, says Colette Sheridan

STEPHEN MURRAY started writing poetry at eight years of age. “A teacher, Mr Spark, told us to write a poem based on A Christmas Carol by Dickens. I wrote Marley’s Ghost. Mr Spark said it was brilliant. After that he encouraged me.”

TRENDY blue bottles of fizzy water are reserved for the manager’s table at post-match press conferences at West Bromwich Albion and Luiz Felipe Scolari could not resist a joke, pointing an enquiring index finger and asking: “Aladdin?”

Dane O’Neill described Leicester as his lucky course after riding his second treble in successive months at the East Midlands track.

LITTLE BRITAIN star Matt Lucas and his partner have split 18 months after getting “married” in a civil partnership ceremony.

Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea is to become a pantomime dame this Christmas, it emerged tonight.

POP legend Linda Ronstadt was fired on Saturday by a Las Vegas casino after praising left-wing producer Michael Moore’s anti-Bush movie Fahrenheit 9/11.

Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd was today returning to his roots as he visited one of the most deprived housing estates in Scotland.

Toy Story has beaten traditional cartoon classics to be named the top Disney film of all time, according to a new poll.

Britain’s leading casino operator London Clubs International was today facing a huge payout after its Las Vegas club Aladdin filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday.