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A ‘Purr-fect’ Cast for The Royal Spa Centre Panto
The Royal Spa Centre in Leamington Spa are delighted to announce their casting for the ‘purr fact’ family pantomime Dick Whittington.
The fabulous J P McCue and the hilarious Sean Dodds are back by popular demand and joining them are Denise Pitter as Queen Rat, Kieran Morris as Dick Whittington, John Fagan as Ralph, Georgina Newton as Alice, Ashley Joseph as Tommy the Cat and Kirstie Smith as Fairy Bow Bells.
Denise is delighted to be returning having played Carabosse in last year’s production of Sleeping Beauty. “Being the baddie is great fun as I get to pretend to be really mean to some very nice people (when I wouldn't possibly even think of doing that in real life). It's really quite refreshing!” This year Denise will be leading team of rotten rodents on a quest to take over the streets of London.
Her sidekick is Coventry based John Fagan who will be spending his first festive season in Leamington. He says “I have appeared in a lot of pantos and musicals but in the early noughties so it will be great to get back to it after a few years. I have played Wishee Washee and the Emperor in Aladdin (not at the same time!) and Captain Hook among many baddies which of course are always the best fun to play. This will be my first time appearing in Dick Whittington or in Royal Leamington Spa so I am really excited about appearing in what is nearly a home panto for me.”
“My favourite thing about panto is interacting with the audience and how absolutely invested the children become in the characters and the narrative from the boos to the cheers. In these days of video on demand there is still nothing to compare to the live theatre experience.”
Another new face is Kieran Morris who says “I am really excited to playing Dick Whittington. I have played Peter Pan in panto for the last three years so I am looking forward to doing something different this year and I have heard great things about panto at The Royal Spa Centre.”
With some performances already sold out The Royal Spa Centre recommend booking your tickets now to avoid disappointment. Dick Whittington runs from Saturday 1st to Sunday 30th December 2018.
For more information or to book tickets please call 01926 334 418 or visit
www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk
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Santa's Polka Dot Pirate - Harlow
Playhouse Box Office 01279 431945
From the creators of Santa’s Dizzy Day and Santa’s Rusty Robot comes a brand new festive show for 2-6 years olds – Santa’s Polka Dot Pirate. The show is a fun packed festive experience for children aged 2-6 which will make them laugh, encourage them to get involved and sing their favourite songs as well as meeting Santa and receiving a gift from him.
It is an unmissable treat for all children up to the age of 6 years and will ensure that the festive season gets underway with an unforgettable Christmas experience.
Download some special paper here and write your letter to Santa and give it to him on the day.
Some Pictures From the Show
Photographs from the 2016 tour by Adam Champman
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Santa's Mixed-up Martian
Santa’s Mixed-up Martian is the fourth show in the series written by Iain Lauchlan (creator of the Tweenies), and produced by Imagine Theatre.
The show will once again feature Santa, Ellie and Rudolph but this year they will be joined by a visitor from outer space. A friendly multi-coloured mixed-up Martian has made an emergency landing on Earth after he was blown off-course by a solar wind, just as he was nipping out in his space scooter to buy a Mars bar.
As always there will be plenty of chances for the children join in with the action and sing along with their favourite songs. In fact, the children will have to help Santa and Ellie find a way to get their confused visitor back to his home planet of Mars.
The show will also give children an opportunity to give their letter to Santa in person.
PLUS: As an added treat, all of the children will get to meet Santa and receive a gift from him!
Where Can I See It?
The Civic Hall, Nantwich Saturday 2 - Wednesday 6 December
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Thursday 7 - Sunday 24 December
Victoria Theatre, Halifax Thursday 7 - Sunday 10 December
The New Wimbledon Studio Tuesday 12 - Sunday 24 December
Tickets on sale soon!
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Grimsby auditorium panto cast ready for a flying start!
The panto mayhem begin recently for the Grimsby Auditorium magical family panto Aladdin when the cast got together for the photo shoot.
Joining the previously announced Coronation Street bad boy Nigel Pivaro as Abanazar are Phil Hoyles as Widow Twankey, Gareth Bennett-Ryan as Wishee Washee, Mary Viscomi as Aladdin, James Houlbrooke as Genie and Helena Gullan as So Shi / Spirit of the Ring.
Phil and Gareth are bringing a local flavor to the show as both of them were raised in Grimsby, where their families still live and Gareth even worked at the venue including being a spotlight operator for panto!
For Phil playing the iconic role of panto dame in his home town is a real honour. He says “I always see Grimsby as my hometown and no matter where I am living or working, Grimsby is still my home. As they say, you can take the boy out of Grimsby, but you can’t take Grimsby out of the boy!”
Nigel Pivaro has fond memories of a previous appearance at the Auditorium and is looking forward to be being back there at Christmas. “I remember appearing at the Auditorium when I was doing the tour of John Godber’s Bouncers quite a few years ago now but it stays in my mind as the venue was packed with a really appreciative audience who loved the show.”
For Lincoln’s Mary Viscomi this will be her second panto at the Auditorium having played Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk two years ago.
“I am happy to be back at the Auditorium this year as it is a great venue, and it also means I get to spend Christmas with my family. I was in Barnstaple last year which I really enjoyed but it is a long way from home.”
Another returnee is James Houlbrooke who will once again Choreograph the panto as well as playing the flamboyant Genie of the Lamp.
“Starring in the panto as well as choreographing it is always a challenge, particularly as it can be hard to tell what a scene looks like when you are appearing in it rather than watching it. However, the Genie is a brilliant role and I absolutely can’t wait to get started.”
Don’t miss out on seeing this fabulous cast. Aladdin runs for two weeks only from Friday 9th until Monday 26th December 2016.
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Porthcawl's GIANT of a panto is fully cast!
The Grand Pavilion are delighted to announce they are fully cast for the giant family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.
Alongside the previously announced Jolyon Dixon as Dame Trot, Nathan Guy as Simple Simon and Rebecca Craven as the Fairy are Jeremy Cave as Fleshcreep, Jessie Lilley as Jack, Rasheeda Ali as Princess Tamara and Jamie Anderson as the King of Merrydale.
Like Neath born co-star Rebecca Craven, Rasheeda is a local girl who hails from Bridgend. “I used to come to Bridgend Youth Theatre at the Grand Pavilion and so I've spent a lot of time at this very theatre and I am delighted to be making my panto debut here. There's always been such a great selection of productions at the Grand Pavilion. I've seen musicals like The King and I and South Pacific, I've seen pantomimes here and even Giselle the Ballet.
It has already been a busy year for Rasheeda who has played the role of Pinky in Meera Syal's Anita and Me at Theatre Royal Stratford East and as Deepika in Bring on the Bollywood at the Belgrade Theatre.
For co-star Jeremy Cave it will be his first time in Porthcawl but his second playing Fleshcreep and he says “Fleshcreep is definitely my favourite character to play in the panto world - who doesn't want to play the baddie really? It's great - the character himself is so flamboyant. I get to strut around stage like a combination of Elvis and Russell Brand and make fun of everyone, great stuff!”
As well as touring How Lion Became the King of Tinga Tinga Land playing the zebra Zalika Jeremy has been working on a very different project - editing, directing and producing his own documentary on the Stone Age period in Cornwall.
Jeremy says “Panto for me is all about family - you become a family with your cast and theatre crew as you basically live and breathe with each other over the Christmas period and it's also amazing when you see families bring their children to their first pantomime...hopefully I won't scare them too much!”
Jessie Lilley has recently been starring in The Inn at Lydda at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. This will be her second pantomime for Imagine Theatre having previously played Dandini in Cinderella at the Hexagon in Reading.
“I am really excited to be taking on the role of Jack as he is a fun and adventurous character, as well as being a little bit cheeky!”
Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Friday 9 until Saturday 31 December 2016. After two record breaking seasons we advise booking tickets early to ensure you get seats at your preferred performance.
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Beacon Arts Centre have a Beauty of a panto coming this Christmas!
The Beacon Arts Centre are delighted to announce that they are fully cast for their spectacular family panto Beauty and the Beast, and recently the panto mayhem began when the cast got together for the photo shoot.
In addition to the previously announced Still Game stars Jane McCarry and Mark Cox are Jimmy Chisholm as Dame Betty, Lee Samuel as Boabby, David Rankine as Hunter, Brooke Allen as Beauty and Liam Mulvey as the Beast.
This will be Lee’s second year at the Beacon Arts Centre and returns by popular demand after playing the hilarious Wishee Washee in Aladdin last year. The Greenock Telegraph said “it was undoubtedly Lee Samuel, aka Aladdin’s wee brother Wishee Washee...who raised the biggest laugh of the evening”
Jimmy Chisholm spent last festive season at the Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock as Mother Goose and is delighted to be joining the Beauty and the Beast cast in Greenock this year.
A familiar face on television Jimmy has appeared in the recent series Mountain Goats, Take the High Road, Rab C Nesbitt, Hamish Macbeth, Taggart and The Bill as well as the films Braveheart with Mel Gibson and Mrs Brown with Dame Judi Dench.
For Brooke Allan this will be her first time in Beauty and the Beast where she takes on the role of the heroine, Beauty.
“I love the story of Beauty and the Beast as it encourages people to see beyond a person’s appearance and not to judge them based on how they look. I love the relationship between Beauty and the Beast as I feel she is brave to allow herself to get to know him and accept him for who he is.”
David Rankine will be playing the arrogant Hunter, sidekick to the evil Nightshade, who is determined to destroy the Beast and win Beauty for himself.
“My character is not very likeable at all but it is great fun getting booed. I am growing a rather sleazy moustache for the part as well which is hilarious.”
Don’t miss your chance to see this fabulous cast when Beauty and the Beast opens on Friday 9 December. The show runs until Saturday 31 January 2016.
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Leicester's in for a GIANT of a panto!
With Christmas fast approaching De Montfort Hall are delighted to have completed their principal casting for their spectacular family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.
As previously announced Leicester’s own X-Factor winner Sam Bailey will be playing the role of Fairy with the hilarious duo of Martin Ballard and Jon Clegg back to play Dame Trot and Simple Simon. Alongside them will be Sinead O’Callaghan in the title role of Jack, Connor McAllister as the wicked Fleshcreep and Miracle Chance as Princess Tamara with James Sinclair playing the role of the King.
This will be Connor’s second visit to De Montfort Hall as he previously appeared at the venue in the 2007 tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in which he played Monsieur D’Arque. Connor has had a busy year touring in the hugely popular Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats but can’t wait for panto season to arrive.
“This will be my sixth pantomime for Imagine Theatre who produce the show and my third time playing Fleshcreep. I've also played the Genie in Aladdin twice and made my Dandini debut in Cinderella last year in Newark. Fleshcreep is definitely my favourite panto character as I get to be funny, cheeky and nasty all at the same time. I am looking forward to seeing what new things I can bring to the character this year.”
“I also can’t wait to bringing my cheeky Glaswegian Fleshcreep to De Montfort Hall, having a laugh with such an incredible cast and, of course, being able to release my inner diva and belt out a song or two with Sam Bailey.”
Sinead O’Callaghan’s role came about through her previous work with the pantomime’s Director Michael Strassen, who also directed last year’s acclaimed production of Snow White.
“I was lucky enough to work with director, Michael Strassen on the world premiere of Duncton Wood in London and I'm happy to say from that romp in the woods he thought I'd be good at climbing beanstalks as well as trees! Before Jack, I will be playing Evita which will be very different but in her own way she climbed to the heights as well.”
This is Sinead’s first pantomime and she says “I am delighted to be playing in the ancient tradition of girls playing boys. It's very different now as girls can have the world at their feet but I'm hoping to show boys they don't have to be nasty to be a man -just brave and daring. Jack is an adventurer, I think that's a lesson to everyone. It's my first time in Leicester and I can't wait as I've heard so much about the wonderful De Montfort Hall.”
For Miracle Chance panto will be a great opportunity to stay in the same place for a few weeks as she has spent much of the year touring in the hugely popular Footloose the Musical as Urleen after making her Glastonbury debut in 2015. Likewise James Sinclair has had a busy year on the road as he has been touring in the all male HMS Pinafore.”
Steve Boden, Managing Director of Imagine Theatre who produce the show says “We are all really excited about this production of Jack and Beanstalk – with such a amazing cast we are sure it is going to be something very special.”
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Youngsters chosen to appear in Snow White at Southport Theatre
If you need evidence that the festive season is almost upon us then look no further than a group of excited youngsters who have been chosen to appear in Snow White at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre this Christmas.
Auditions for children aged 9-16 were held at the venue at the weekend and Dane Bates, who choreographed the auditions said “The standard of the all of the children who auditioned for us was very high and it was exceptionally difficult to select the 22 children for the two main teams as we would have loved to have everyone in the show.”
Louise Redmond, Head of Casting for producers Imagine Theatre, said “We have been auditioning children for panto here for many years now and it was great to see some familiar faces amongst the auditionees as well as some brand new ones.”
“One of the most important things we look at is of course their dancing, however, it is really important that the children have a little something extra as well that makes them stand out from the crowd.”
“The children will have a lot of hard work ahead of them but it is also a lot of fun and a great opportunity for them to be part of a professional production.”
The children will be starring alongside Home and Away legend Lynne McGranger who is stepping away from her lovable character Irene Roberts to play the Wicked Queen, as well as Jason Marc-Williams as Dame Dolly Mixture, Alistair Barron as Jingles the Jester, Harriet Payne as Snow White and James Leeman as Prince Michael.
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Neverland adventure starts for the team at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax
The Victoria Theatre in Halifax are delighted to announce that they are fully cast for their spectacular family panto Peter Pan and recently the panto mayhem begin when the cast got together for the photo shoot.
As previously announced Halifax’s favourite comic Neil Hurst returns to play trainee pirate Smee and he will be joined by some new faces with Max Cane donning a dress as Nanny McSmee, Kieran Morris as Peter Pan, Lucy Keirl as Tiger Lily and Katie Faye as Wendy. These will be joined by Anna Lakin who will take on the role of Tinker Bell this year, having appeared in the ensemble for the last two seasons, and Andrew Piper who returns to the venue he played Beast in back in 2012 as the fearsome Captain Hook
Kieran is delighted to be reprising the role he played at Eden Court in 2015. “I love playing Peter as he is quite a complex character. He is brave and he is caring as well as being selfish and reckless at times. I also love getting to fly – it is quite nerve racking the first few times but great fun once you get the hang of it.”
Max has worked in entertainment for a number of years. He has appeared in many popular television shows including The Bill, EastEnders, Wire in the Blood, New Tricks and The Last Detective amongst many others. He has also appeared in the West End in Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Piccadilly Theatre and starred in numerous productions at Chichester Festival Theatre as well as playing dame in pantomime.
Andrew Piper is relishing the prospect of playing a baddie and says “I am very excited to be playing Hook as he is one of the most iconic baddies in children’s literature. I also get to have a sword which I can’t wait for!”
Stephen Boden, Managing Director of Imagine Theatre who produce the panto says “This is only the second year we have ever put on Peter Pan and I am thrilled to have such a fabulous cast for its Halifax debut.”
Come and join us for an adventure in Neverland. Peter Pan runs from Saturday 10th December 2016 until Monday 2nd January 2017.
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Beauty-ful panto at the Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock
The Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock are delighted to announce that they are fully cast for their spectacular family pantomime Beauty and the Beast and the cast recently met up for their photo shoot.
Gary Morrison, James McAnerney and David J Higgins will be joining the previously announced River City stars Sally Howitt as Nightshade and Billy McElhaney as Angus along with Fraser Boyle as Dame Betty and Amber Howland as Beauty.
Gary is thrilled to be returning to the Palace for the third time to take on the role of the comic, Boabby.
“I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of the comic this year as in my previous years at Kilmarnock I have been the baddies sidekick each time which were fabulous comedy roles. It will be such an honour to be lead comic this year as I have a lot of experience in this role. For me I always enjoy the interaction with the audience and playing lead comic will be a real pleasure.
“I love panto in Kilmarnock because of how much the audiences are right up for a laugh and a good fun few hours. The pantomimes are always well supported which shows what a fabulous community spirit they have in Kilmarnock. Also the staff at The Palace are always so lovely and warm which makes you feel at home straight away.”
For James McAnerney Beauty and the Beast marks his fifth pantomime at the Palace and yet again he is playing the baddie, but he doesn’t mind being cast as the villain, in fact he rather enjoys it.
“Being the baddie is so much fun, as you get to play good and bad. Usually the baddie always has to become friends with the rest of the characters before being horrible and nasty. And also because the baddies always gets loads of booze - oops sorry, boo's!”
“Baddies can be very iconic characters. My favourite baddie has to be Darth Vader, his presence the voice, everything, but the best panto baddie for me is Hook as everything about him is scary -especially his right hand. My character this year is rather vain but I don't think I'm vain in real life, but I do like to look in the mirror, just to...(dramatic pause).... Reflect (sorry the panto jokes will be better I promise!).”
David J Higgins reprises the role he played in Reading in 2012 for producers Imagine Theatre when he takes on the role of the Beast.
“Beast is a great character to play as he starts off as a bit of a baddie but then as the show continues his character completely transforms.”
With such a fabulous line up Beauty and the Beast promises to be a spectacular family treat for the whole family this Christmas. The show runs from Saturday 26 November until Friday 30 December 2016.
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Cinderella cast in for a ball at the Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy
The panto mayhem began recently for the Adam Smith’s spectacular family panto Cinderella when the cast got together for the photo shoot and if the shoot was anything to go by the cast are certainly going to have a ball this Christmas!
In addition to the previously announced Ugly Sisters Greg Powrie and Derek McGhie are Gordon Brandie as Buttons, Kim Shepherd as Cinderella, Blair Robertson as Prince, Ryan Ferrie as Dandini and Ashley Andrew as the Fairy Godmother.
Gordon Brandie is delighted to return to the Adam Smith after appearing in last year’s production of Mother Goose.
“I am thrilled to have been asked back after played the guardian angel Angelo Angelini in last year’s Mother Goose. I am really looking forward to playing Buttons. He is a great character to play and probably the most endearing of all the panto comic characters. I also enjoy performing to the lovely Fife audiences and working with the great team behind the scenes at the Adam Smith.”
For Greg Powrie playing an Ugly Sister at the Adam Smith is a chance to return to a venue that played a large part in his early acting career.
“I got a place with Scottish Youth Theatre, in 1980, when I was about 16. They held a five week residential course at The Adam Smith Centre over the summer; it was my first real taste of theatre, with thirty or so like-minded people, and something of an eye-opener. Safe to say I was hooked! The show was a musical called What a Way to Run a Revolution, written by David Benedictus, the man responsible for the screenplay Local Hero, along with the RSC's Musical Director Guy Wolfenden, who sadly died this year. The show was very successful, getting a second airing at the Edinburgh Festival, and there was even an edited television version staged. It is safe to say that production is responsible for my being an actor.”
“There are a few people still connected with that show that are still in the business, not least Billy Mack, which is where we met. I remember being hugely impressed by his confidence, and he had (and still has) a brilliant singing voice. As a sidebar, one of the adults responsible for trying to keep this bunch of eager beavers in check was Elaine C Smith. She was just Elaine Smith then, a teacher, nightclub singer, and Warden to us lot! I remember her asking us to put up our hands if acting was what we wanted to do, and of course most hands shot up; needless to say she then said that most of us wouldn't make it... Harsh but fair!”
“I'm pretty sure I've not performed at the Adam Smith since, except perhaps on tour, so after 36 years I guess it is something of a homecoming.”
Don’t miss your chance to see this fabulous cast. Cinderella runs from Saturday 10 December 2016 until Saturday 7 January 2017.
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The panto adventure begins for the cast of Eden Court's production of Dick Whittington
The panto mayhem began recently for Eden Court when the Dick Whittington cast got together for the photo shoot.
In addition to the previously announced Ross Allan as Smee, Steven Wren as Nanny McSmee and Charlotte Forbes in the title role of Dick Whittington, are Colin Little as King Rat, Amy Scott as Fairy Bowbells and Alice Fitzwarren and Euan Bennet as Stinky.
For Euan, Dick Whittington will mark his second visit to Eden Court in 2016 as he will also be appearing at the theatre in a stage adaptation of the popular Sunday Post comic strip The Broons in October.
Euan’s character of Stinky is the side kick of the villainous King Rat. Colin Little, who is taking on the role of Dick Whittington’s nemesis says “I LOVE playing the baddie! It's been a role I've played many times over the years and it's definitely my favourite. You don't always get the jokes but you always get some of the best lines. It's so much fun winding up the audience and hearing them 'boooo' until they are blue in the face. It's always such an important role in terms of the story, too. If there's no sense of jeopardy, then there's nothing for our heroes to overcome. This is my first time playing King Rat, I cannot wait to get started.”
Eagled eyed viewers may recently have spotted Colin in the BBC Sunday night series The Secret Agent starring Toby Jones.
“The Secret Agent was an amazing experience, I've been doing a lot more television in recent years and it is very different to theatre. Whereas in theatre you work with a cast for weeks and weeks, you bond, and go through it all together, in TV, it's a bit more solitary. You all work out of sequence and although you are all cast mates, if you don't have scenes together, you might never actually meet! I really do love both disciplines but nothing beats a winter panto! It really is the best job in the world, it's the one time of year where the sole objective is to make sure everyone in the audience has as much fun a possible.”
Dick Whittington will be Amy Scott’s second for pantomime producers Imagine Theatre, having previously appeared in Mother Goose as Fairy Betty back in 2008 at the Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock.
“Playing a dual role is going to be quite challenging this year as Alice Fitzwarren and Fairy Bowbells are very different characters but I know it will be great fun so I am really looking forward to it.
Book your tickets now to see this fabulous cast. Dick Whittington runs from Tuesday 6th December 2016 until Sunday 8th January 2017
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Justin's Party UK Tour 2017
More details and dates can be found at http://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/justins-party-2017
Are you ready to party? Because BAFTA award winning actor Justin Fletcher is coming to town and YOU are invited!
JUSTIN'S PARTY is brand new show which packed full of fantastic songs, dances and hilarious games guaranteed to make it THE party of the year! There will be lots of exciting surprises along the way and you’ll get to meet Justin’s adorable new puppy Engelbert!
So what are you waiting for? Get your party clothes ready and come and join in with this very exciting fun-tastic celebration!
Justin tours at weekends and on some week days fom 15th February to 1st May 2017. Locations he's performing in (from North to South) are
Aberdeen
Dunfermline
Glasgow
Sunderland
Blackpool
York
Bradford
Hull
Salford
Llandudno
Scunthorpe
Crewe
Nottingham
Kings Lynn
Leicester
Leamington Spa
Aylesbury
Watford
Cardiff
Southend
Dartford
Wimbledon
Guildford
Yeovil
Canterbury
Southampton
Truro
You can find more details at http://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/justins-party-2017
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Newark's Giant weekend of panto!
If you need evidence that the festive season is almost upon us then you needed to look no further than Newark two weekends ago when the Palace Theatre held both the panto launch and the auditions for the Junior Chorus.
The town was taken over by the panto cast on Saturday, including former Grange Hill and EastEnders star Todd Carty, and there were flashbacks to Todd’s EastEnders days when he got behind a fruit and veg stall in the market – although we don’t remember him being dressed quite like that in EastEnders!
Todd says “This is the first time I have ever been to Newark and it seems a really lovely town, well – apart from it raining all day! I am very interested in history so can’t wait to have a proper look around the Civil War Centre when I am here over Christmas.”
On Sunday it was time to hold auditions for the youngest members of the panto cast with the Junior Chorus auditions for 9-16 year olds.
Graeme Pickering, who choreographed the auditions said “The standard of the all of the children who auditioned for us was very high and it was exceptionally difficult to select the 16 children for the two main teams as we would have loved to have everyone in the show.”
Sarah Boden from Imagine Theatre who produce the panto at the Palace Theatre said “We have been auditioning children for panto here for many years now and it was great to see some familiar faces amongst the auditionees as well as some brand new ones.”
“One of the most important things we look at is of course their dancing, however, it is really important that the children have a little something extra as well that makes them stand out from the crowd.”
“The children will have a lot of hard work ahead of them but it is also a lot of fun and a great opportunity for them to be part of a professional production.”
Come and join us for a ‘gigantic’ festive treat with Jack and the Beanstalk which runs at the Palace Theatre from Wednesday 7th until Saturday 31st December 2016.
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Spa Centre Leamington have a Beauty of a Cast!
The Royal Spa Centre are delighted to announce that they are now fully cast for their spectacular family pantomime Beauty and the Beast and recently they saw the panto mayhem begin when the cast got together for the photo shoot.
As previously announced JP McCue will be playing Dame Dolly Do It, Sean Dodds is Willy Do It and Jamie Sheerman is Pimple. They will be joined by Carly Burns as Beauty, David Gilbrook as Beauty’s father, Emma Jane Wylde as the Enchantress, Daniel Tawse as Eugene and Matt Lee Steer as Beast.
Last year Carly played Cinderella at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax and is delighted to be taking on the role of Beauty at the Spa Centre this year. “I am looking forward to playing Beauty as although she is kind and gentle she is also quite tough. She isn’t afraid to stand up to the Beast, but at the same time her character allows her to see past appearances.”
David Gilbrook is a very experienced panto performer but this will be his first year at the Spa Centre and he can’t wait.
“I am looking forward to appearing in panto at the Spa Centre as I have been to the venue but never performed there. Last year I played Baron Hardup at the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple and they let me loose with my tap shoes in the finale so I may try and sneak a little tap routine in again this year!”
David’s Cinderella co-star from Barnstaple last year, Emma Jane Wylde, will once again play alongside him as she takes on the role of Enchantress. Emma, who is from Coventry can’t wait to cast some more panto spells.
“Last year I played the Fairy Godmother and this year I get to be the Enchantress so hopefully some of this magical ability will rub off on me soon! I am delighted to be at the Spa Centre this year as it means I get to be at home for Christmas which is wonderful, and I have friends who have appeared in the Spa Centre pantos so I know how great they are.”
Both Daniel Tawse and Matt Lee Steer appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk last year where Daniel was in the ensemble and Matt was probably unrecognisable as he played the King and was also operating the terrifying Giant Blunderbore.
Don’t miss out on seeing this fabulous cast. Beauty and the Beast runs from Saturday 3 to Saturday 31 December 2016 and with some performances already sold out we recommend booking quickly for this magical festive treat.
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Newark Palace's Panto Jack and the Beanstalk is Fully Cast
The Palace Theatre, Newark are delighted to announce that they are fully cast for their giant pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas.
Alongside the previously announced television star Todd Carty and the hilarious Kevin McGreevy the Palace are delighted to welcome Tim Freeman as Dame Trot, Felicity Skiera as Jack, Ann Micklethwaite as the Queen of the Flower Fairies, Kate Eaves as Princess Tamara and Niki Burne as the Queen of Merrydale.
Tim is a highly experienced theatrical performer and has appeared in numerous productions throughout the country as well as fifteen pantomimes. Recently Tim has been touring in the children’s show Not Now Bernard for Colchester’s Mercury Theatre.
Tim also played Mr Wopsle in the film Great Expectations alongside Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes and David Walliams.
Both Felicity and Kate played the roles of Jack and Princess in last year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk in Leamington whilst Ann previously played the role of Fairy at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax in 2014.
Ann says “The last time I played this role I fell over on some ice on opening night and broke my arm and spent the rest of the run with my arm in a cast so I am hoping for better luck this time!”
Jack and the Beanstalk is an action packed pantomime as the hero Jack has to climb the beanstalk to the giant’s liar, fight him and rescue his beloved Princess Tamara but Felicity Skiera is not daunted by taking on the challenge once again. She says “Jack is a really fun character to play as he is quite feisty and the giant used in the show is brilliant and always produced big gasps from the audience when he appears, so being in the scene where I get to fight him is excellent.”
Kate adds “I am really pleased to be working with Felicity again as we had a great time last year and I have heard wonderful things about both Newark and the Palace Theatre.”
Niki Burne will be playing the Queen of Merrydale and says “I absolutely love panto season and this will be my first year back since having my little boy and I can’t wait to play royalty – I hope it means I get to boss everyone else around!
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Jason Looking Forward to Panto Fun in Southport This Christmas
Southport Theatre and Convention Centre are delighted to announce that Jason Marc Williams will be donning a dress to play Dame Dolly Mixture in their spectacular family pantomime Snow White this Christmas.
This will be Welsh born Jason’s first year as Dame in Southport, however, as he explains, he is no stranger to the role. “I have been at the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford for the last three years, and for the last two I have played Dame in Beauty and the Beast and Jack and the Beanstalk, having played the very different role of Baron Hardup my first year. I have also played idle Jack in Dick Whittington and Muddles in Snow White for other companies across the UK so I have almost covered the whole spectrum of panto characters apart from Princess!”
“I really love panto and growing up in Swansea I was always taken to see the panto at the Grand Theatre each Christmas. I think it is very important for children to have family traditions like that. As a child I really loved all the silly slapstick, and to be honest, I still love that! It is great that Southport is by the sea as I live on the coast so it will feel a bit like home.”
“I absolutely love playing dame as I get to wear some amazing costumes and wigs and I get to have a lot of fun on stage being silly – what a wonderful job! And of course, being panto there is always the risk that things will go wrong and a couple of times last year my dame costumes came undone when on stage which Imanaged to turn in to a huge comedy moment and it became part of the panto fun.”
In typical panto tradition Jason’s dame character does have rather a silly name to go with her outrageous costume and hilarious panto antics. “I love the fact my character is called Dame Dolly Mixture but I think it is going to give me sweet cravings for the whole panto season. I am very partial to Skittles and fruit gums so will have to get a stash of those for the dressing room!”
Away from the craziness of panto Jason also plays more serious roles. “Aside from panto I have also been lucky enough to play some other brilliant roles too, for example Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Dan In Night Must Fall. I am a massive Harold Pinter fan I would love to play Stanley in The Birthday Party.”
Jason will be starring alongside Home and Away legend Lynne McGranger in the panto which opens on Friday 9 December and runs until Saturday 31 December 2016.
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