Catch up with the latest news and updates, and sneaky peaks at what it takes to put on our productions. If you'd like us to add anything else - get in touch!
“the sense of fun was evident from the start in this panto which edged towards being sweet and funny rather than being loaded with adult-friendly double entendres…the youngsters in the audience loved it.”
Please click here to read the full review in the Press & Journal
“This was my third year attending the Beacon Arts Centre panto and its one that I always recommend….For me, what makes the Beacon panto so wonderful is that it doesn't need to rely on special effects to create magic. The beautiful sets are a million times better than any fancy 3D screens and the costumes are spectacular. This is a traditional panto with a fresh script and terrific cast that will make you feel full of festive joy!”
Read the full review here.
We are delighted by our fabulous review from the Leamington Courier
Cats have tended to fare pretty well as fictional heroes in entertainment through the ages.
Puss in Boots, 'rebooted' in the massively popular Shrek films, is one example. Hollywood A-Listers Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, and Anne Hathaway have all appeared as the Catwoman.
And, of course, the movie phenomenon which was Marvel's Black Panther was released in February. Having the feline character as the action star of the show works just as well for this year's Leamington pantomime Dick Whittington.
Chris Gage as the titular character's sidekick Tommy the Cat brings an acrobatic energy to the stage, which is a welcome new addition to dame and writer JP McCue's tried, tested and successful formula. Throughout the show, multi-talented Gage displays tumbling and martial arts skills and even dons a pair of roller blades at one point.
He's worth the admission fee alone, but there's a lot more going on here. McCue is in top form and obviously delighted to bring another of his scripts to the Spa Centre stage cracking in-jokes with his right-hand man and generally- and genuinely - funny bloke Sean Dodds as Silly Simon.
Again, and as expected, the pair are a driving force behind the weird and wonderful antics which ensue. Returning as the villain, Denise Pitter proves again that she's good at being bad in her role as Queen Rat
And a happy coincidence for the show is that with his north eastern accent, Kieran Morris might remind some of Declan Donnely, who is again currently entertaining TV audiences with his cheeky style on I'm A Celebrity.
The story - about rise of a London folk legend - is serviceable and, as ever with McCue's scripts, allows the various cast members to tie easily together some famous songs ranging from Abba's Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) to A Million Dreams from the recent musical film sensation The Greatest Showman. If the latter will, no doubt, appeal to the younger audience members there's also references to the 'flossing' dance craze and the sounds of the earworm song Baby Shark which will grab their attention. And with familiar 'custard pie', UV dance, Twelve Days of Christmas and 'look behind you' routines thrown in there's plenty in this show for panto goers young and old to sink their claws into and to be left purring contently afterwards.
Please click here to read the review online
This year’s pantomime at The Adam Smith sees a variety of new faces and old in the magical tale of Beauty and the Beast. Greg Powrie returns to play Dame following on from his 2016 appearance as Ugly Sister in Cinderella with Kim Shepherd as The Enchantress and Colin Little as Beast/Prince. Jillian Cunningham takes on the role of Belle, Adrian MacDonald will play the hilarious Cameron McKlinkie, David Rankine will be playing the odious Balloch Bennochy and James Barrie will be playing Beauty’s Father, Hugh.
Greg is delighted to be spending the festive season at the Adam Smith once more. “Appearing at The Adam Smith is something of a homecoming. Thirty-eight years ago I appeared in a Scottish Youth Theatre production at the Adam Smith, called What A Way to Run a Revolution; it was my first real taste of theatre, a fantastic production, and an experience I never looked back from. The rehearsals for the 2016 production of Cinderella took place in exactly the same room, and even after all that time there was something reassuringly familiar about the building. Secondly, and more importantly were the audiences as they took us to their hearts very quickly, and the response show after show was phenomenal! You are quite close to them at the Adam Smith, and I like that.”
Dame is one of the most iconic roles in pantomime and Greg says of playing it “I think there is a curious amnesia that comes with playing the Dame. It is utterly exhausting, and every year I sort of forget that! A Dame is only as good as his company, and I've been very lucky in that respect. I do enjoy the freedom that can go with the part, and probably enjoy it most when the unexpected happens, and that is a lot! Having license to interact with the audience is, of course, the best bit, but it always comes with a risk; you have to think fast and be ready to seize any opportunity!”
Colin Little is most used to playing the baddie and is looking forward to the challenge of a slightly different role this season. “Last year I was Abanazar at the Adam Smith and I do usually play the baddie which is great fun but this year I get a taste of both worlds in a way as the Prince, who is then turned in to the Beast, is not a particularly nice character at the start of the show but by the end he has been redeemed.”
Adrian MacDonald will be appearing in his first pantomime this year. “I have appeared in quite a few children’s shows but I have never done panto before so I am very excited. It will also be my first time stepping out to the Adam Smith stage and I am really looking forward to starring in such a well-loved show and looking forward to having some fun and making some panto magic.”
Beauty and the Beast runs from Saturday 8 December 2018 until Saturday 5 January 2019.
To book tickets to please contact Adam Smith box office on 01592 583302 or visit www.onfife.com
FTH Theatre are delighted to announce the full casting for the spectacular family pantomime Cinderella.
As previously announced River City star Sally Howitt will be playing the Wicked Stepmother, Baroness Demonica, with local singing sensation Barbara Bryceland as the Fairy Godmother. Joining them are Craig Glover and Derek McGhie as the Ugly Sisters Sadie and Senga, Christie Gowans in the title role of Cinderella, John Winchester as the loveable Buttons, Adam Morgan as the dashing Prince Charming and Scott Watson as Dandini.
Derek McGhie is delighted to be playing one half of the most despicable duo in panto-land having previously played Ugly Sister two years ago in Kirkcaldy.
“The best thing about playing an Ugly is that you have a partner in crime to share the madness with - it’s two for the price of one! I love playing an Ugly Sister as you get to be bad, daft and outrageous all at the same time. And the costumes are always hysterical!”
“I have never worked with Craig before but we have been friends for a long time and have even spent time on holiday together. In fact the first time I played an Ugly Sister it was Craig I went to for advice on make-up! A double act is always easier when you know and trust your partner.”
“I am really looking forward to spending the festive season at FTH. I have a lot of friends in Falkirk and am often in town, I’ve been to the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies but have never visited the theatre. I think it’s always exciting to discover a new theatre space and to perform to a whole new audience.”
Christie Gowans who is playing Cinderella says “Cinderella is probably the most iconic fairy tale Princess and I am very excited at getting to play her. The moment when the Fairy Godmother transforms her into a Princess for the ball is truly magical.”
The show runs from Thursday 6 – Monday 24 December 2018 so hurry and get your tickets to the ball.
To book tickets to please contact box office on 01324 506850 or visit www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org
The Palace Theatre in Newark are holding open auditions for children aged 9-16* to take part in their spectacular family panto Aladdin this Christmas. The Auditions are being held on Sunday 16 September and more information can be found on the venue page on our website*. - http://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/pantomimes/2018-aladdin-newark
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
On Saturday 15 September local youngsters are being invited to take part in open auditions for Southport Theatre's Beauty and the Beast. The auditions are open to children aged 9-16* who would like to be part of the Junior Chorus. *Please see the venue page on our website for more information. - http://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/pantomimes/2018-beauty-and-the-beast-southport
Young performers from Warwickshire are being invited to take part in open auditions for children aged 9-16* for Dick Whittington at The Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa. The auditions take place on Sunday 16 September and more information can be found on the venue page on our website*. - http://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/pantomimes/2018-dick-whittington-leamington
If you are aged 9-16* and would like to be part of Sleeping Beauty at the Grand Pavilion Porthcawl this Christmas then come along and join us for our Junior Chorus auditions on Wednesday 12 September. Please see the venue page on our website for more information*. - http://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/pantomimes/2018-sleeping-beauty-porthcawl
Imagine Theatre, 2 Brandon House, Woodhams Road, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry, CV3 4FX. T: +44 2476 307001
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