JP and Sean Back for the Spa Centre Panto

It may only be March but plans for the Royal Spa Centre’s spectacular family pantomime Sleeping Beauty are already underway and they are delighted to announce the return of panto favourites J P McCue and Sean Dodds.

The duo have become part and parcel of the Leamington panto over the last few years and this will be JP’s sixth year at the Spa Centre.

“I LOVE working at The Spa Centre as it has such a family feel to it, from the technical team to front of house and box office staff and the cast old and new, it's such a welcoming place to call home for the festive season.  Leamington itself is so beautiful with all the decorations, Christmas markets and shopping! PLUS it has the fanciest Wagamamas I've ever eaten in!”

I really enjoy playing Dame because of all the naughtiness I can get up to in the show. I love all the stories we get to tell in panto but I also adore the madness and the laughs we throw in too. Even the ones none of us see coming!”

JP spends much of the year abroad but Christmas just would not be the same without a return to the UK for panto: “When I am over here I miss the sun of course, as even though I'm Scottish I'm not great with the cold, and I miss my wonderful partner and my beautiful dog Apple, but they'll be over to see the panto, and I hope all of our brilliant audience members will be in again this year! You won't want to miss it!” 

 For Sean, who will be spending his fourth year at the Spa Centre, he feels Leamington is a home away from home.  “The thing I love about the Spa Centre is that it's more than just a theatre… it's a cafe, a cinema and for me, a Christmas home! I also love the atmosphere in Leamington at Christmas time - the lights make everywhere so magical! When you're walking around the town it's a great feeling and it really gets you in the Christmas spirit!”  

 Before panto season arrives Sean will have a busy year doing some filming as well as running his own company specialising in children’s magic and entertainment.

 Steve Boden, Managing Director of Imagine Theatre who are consultants to Warwick District Council on the pantomime, says “we are delighted to have both JP and Sean back for another season. They are both brilliant performers and the audiences absolutely adore them – you never know what is going to happen when those two are together on stage but you can be sure it will be great fun!”

Don't miss out on the hilarious antics of this expert slapstick duo when Sleeping Beauty opens on Saturday 2 December 2017.

River City Star Forced to Withdraw From The Palace Theatre Panto

The Palace Theatre have to sadly announce that River City star Billy McElhaney has had to withdraw from their production of Beauty and the Beast due to ill health.

 Billy was due to play the role of Angus, downtrodden servant and all round dogsbody to the Beast. This role will now be taken on by the hugely experienced Paul Morrow.

 Paul is no stranger to pantomime having appeared in both Aladdin and Cinderella. He has also starred in Macbeth, Great Expectations and Sunset Song amongst others. On television he has appeared in Emmerdale, Taggart and Monarch of the Glen.

 Steve Boden, Managing director of Imagine Theatre who produce the pantomime, says

“We are very sad that Billy will no longer be able to be part of the pantomime and we wish him all the best. We are very grateful to Paul Morrow for stepping in at the last minute. Paul is a really talented actor and we feel very fortunate to have someone of his calibre taking on the role at such short notice.”

 Beauty and the Beast, written by panto king Alan McHugh, also stars River City’s Sally Howitt in the role of Deadly Nightshade, with Fraser Boyle as Dame Betty and Garry Morrison as Boabby.

 The panto opens on Saturday 26 November and runs until Friday 30 December.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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. 

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.

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.