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Discover why Imagine Theatre is one of the UK's leading independent pantomime producers. With more than 275 professional pantomimes, award-winning productions, nationwide reach, carbon-neutral operations and a commitment to accessible, sustainable family entertainment, Imagine Theatre continues to set the standard for modern pantomime production across the UK.
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Vernon Kay - Bromley
joe pasquale - dartford
Su Pollard - Crewe
Gethin Jones - Cardiff
jenny ryan - leicester
La Voix - Wycombe
justin fletcher - reading
Vernon Kay, La Voix, Gethin Jones, Jack P. Shepherd, Owain Wyn Evans, Anne Hegerty, Richie Anderson, Steve Speirs, Su Pollard, Joe Pasquale, AJ and Curtis Pritchard, Jenny Ryan, Suzanne Shaw, Justin Fletcher and more join an all-star line-up across 21 pantomimes nationwide
This Christmas, some of the UK’s most recognisable faces are heading to a theatre near you as Imagine Theatre unveils its spectacular 2026 season. With twenty one pantomimes, this season promises to be bigger, brighter and packed with more star power than ever, with an incredible roll-call of familiar faces joining the finest panto dames, comics, dancers and singers from across the UK.
Four of the UK’s favourite TV and radio presenters – Vernon Kay, Gethin Jones, Owain Wyn Evans and Richie Anderson – swap the studio for the stage and a good dose of panto madness. They’ll be joined by screen and stage favourites including Steve Speirs and Coronation Street star Jack P. Shepherd, while panto royalty Su Pollard, Joe Pasquale and Strictly Come Dancing favourite La Voix are guaranteed to have audiences rolling in the aisles.
There’s no shortage of familiar faces for younger audiences either. Megastar Justin Fletcher will be joined by Balamory’s PC Plum, Andrew Agnew, double BAFTA winner Mark Rhodes and popular CBeebies presenter Rebecca Keatley.
Reaching for the wand rather than the buzzer this Christmas are ‘Chasers’ Anne Hegerty and Jenny Ryan, with twinkle-toed brothers AJ and Curtis Pritchard, Britain’s Got Talent finalists Han & Fran, pop and musical theatre favourite Suzanne Shaw, and much-loved ‘Joseph’ Keith Jack adding even more sparkle to the season.
owain wyn evans - swansea
anne hegerty - fareham
richie anderson - swindon
Joining this stellar line-up is a host of well-known West End performers, who will share the stage with talented local youngsters, giving audiences the chance to see the stars of tomorrow performing alongside some of Britain’s best-known faces.
This year, Imagine Theatre will present panto in Bromley, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Coventry, Crewe, Dartford, Fareham, Glasgow, High Wycombe, Halifax, Hertford, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, Leamington Spa, Llandudno, Leicester, Reading, Stafford, Swansea and Swindon.
The season builds on Imagine Theatre's award-winning track record, with the company having received almost 40 UK Pantomime Association Award nominations in recent years and taking home nine awards, including Best Set and Best Pantomime Over 900 Seats.
jack p shepherd - llandudno
rebecca keatley - swansea
aj & curtis pritchard - leamington
Laura Taylor, Head of Celebrity Casting at Imagine Theatre, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this year’s line-up of shows and stars. Pantomime season is always such a special time of year and it’s a rare opportunity for the whole family to get together, have some escapism and make memories that will last a lifetime. So, we need to make sure the cast on stage are having a good time too as that becomes infectious. The shows that we’ve put together this year are guaranteed to be a whole lot of fun!”
Steve Boden, Joint CEO of Imagine Theatre, said:” Creating panto is special. It’s a huge team effort, from the team behind the scenes and our cast and crew, everyone brings a bit of themselves to it. We’re incredibly proud this year once again to work with such a brilliant mix of established names and local talent, and to create shows that value tradition and storytelling, putting families at the front and centre. We put a lot of heart into our pantomimes, and I hope that comes across the moment the curtain goes up.”
Expect spectacular sets, big dance numbers, hilarious comedy, singalong favourites, sensational special effects and plenty of audience participation - all the glorious chaos that makes panto one of Britain’s favourite traditions.
Dust off those festive jumpers and get ready to boo, hiss, cheer and sing your heart out. Christmas is coming, and Imagine Theatre is bringing a whole lot of panto magic with it.
Visit imaginetheatre.co.uk for more information and tickets
mark rhodes = stafford
suzanne shaw = swansea
andrew agnew - bromley
steve speirs = cardiff
ADAM SMITH THEATRE. KIRKCALDY
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
03 December 2026 – 30 December 2026
Beauty and the Beast comes to life at the Adam Smith Theatre this Christmas with a magical Christmas pantomime packed with laughs, dazzling sets and show-stopping performances the whole family will love. When a prince is cursed only true love can break the spell before the final petal falls from the enchanted rose. Can Belle see beyond appearances and learn to love the Beast?
Whether it’s your first visit or a festive tradition, don’t miss one of Fife’s most popular Christmas shows.
BEAM: HERTFORD
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
09 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
A giant adventure is climbing its way to BEAM this Christmas as Jack and the Beanstalk bursts onto the stage in a spectacular, toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud pantomime for the whole family. When the Trott family finds themselves without a bean to their name and an evil giant threatens their village, brave young Jack swaps the family cow for a handful of magic beans sparking an epic journey to the land of giants.
Back by popular demand are larger -than life dame MAMA G and comedian and magician Tom Brace joined by local favourite Alistair Barrie,. Bigger, bolder, and funnier than ever, whether you’re a panto regular or brand new to the tradition, this is the festive treat you won’t want to miss
CARMARTHEN LYRIC THEATRE
DICK WHITTINGTON
10 – 28 December 2026
The cat’s out of the bag… Dick Whittington is coming to The Lyric, This classic family pantomime will be packed with dazzling costumes, toe-tapping songs, belly-laughs, and more panto mischief than you can shake a spotted handkerchief at!
When Dick realises he is penniless, he sets out on a journey to London, where the streets are reportedly paved with gold. And, of course, his trusty cat joins him for this paw-some adventure.
Expect fairytale fun, enchanting sets, and a show-stopping cast that will have you cheering, booing, and singing along from start to finish. It’s a magical festive tradition you won’t want to miss!
CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY
SLEEPING BEAUTY
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
www.trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley
Radio and TV Favourite Vernon Kay is heading to Bromley this Christmas as he returns to the pantomime stage in Churchill Theatre's spectacular production of Sleeping Beauty. He is joined by Balamory’s PC Plum Andrew Agnew and West End Theatre favourites Rebekah Lowings, James Bisp Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli and Sophie Naglik.
When Carabosse’s evil curse causes Princess Beauty to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her before it is too late? Packed with dazzling costumes, spectacular scenery, side-splitting comedy and show-stopping songs, this high-quality production promises festive fun for all ages that will leave the whole family wide awake with excitement.
COVENTRY BELGRADE
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
18 November 2026 – 02 January 2027
For Christmas 2026, the Belgrade Theatre presents the most enchanting tale of all, Beauty and the Beast, written by and starring Coventry’s favourite dame, Iain Lauchlan. When beautiful Belle is kidnapped by a frightening Beast and locked away in his terrifying castle, she soon discovers there may be more to the Beast than meets the eye. Can he change his selfish ways and find true love before it is too late?
Guaranteed to bring a touch of magic, mayhem and monstrous fun to your festive celebrations. Expect breathtaking sets, crazy costumes and the seasonal silliness that makes a trip to the Belgrade san unmissable treat for thousands of families every year.
CREWE LYCEUM
SLEEPING BEAUTY
11 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Sleeping Beauty at Crewe Lyceum stars national treasure and panto legend Su Pollard, alongside Cheshire favourites Malcolm Lord and Ste Johnston, returning by popular demand. When the wicked fairy Carabosse casts her sinister curse, the princess is doomed to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into a deep enchanted sleep. Can anyone break the spell before it is too late?
Bursting with everything you love about the Crewe Lyceum pantomime, This pant of your dreams promises laugh-out-loud comedy a fabulously outrageous dame, a deliciously wicked villain, show stopping musical numbers and plenty of slapstick fun for audiences of all ages in a magical festive adventure.
DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
12 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Beauty and the Beast stars The Chase TV quiz legend Jenny Ryan welcoming back comedian Jarred
Christmas and Leicester’s very own larger-than-life panto dame Jack Ballard. When a prince is cursed to live as a Beast, only true love can break the spell before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.
In a fairytale story beloved by generations young and old, with hilarious jokes, catchy songs, and panto joy aplenty, this charming pantomime promises to be a festive treat for the whole family it would be beastly to miss.
EDEN COURT, INVERNESS
CINDERELLA
02 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Eden Court’s spectacular family pantomime is back with all the magic, music and mayhem you’ve come to know and love! Poor Cinderella dreams of a very different life as she toils night and day, but when a royal invitation arrives, her chance to escape could finally be within reach. Will her wicked stepsisters spoil her chance at happiness or can her Fairy Godmother and ever-cheerful Buttons work their magic in time?
Everyone’s favourite rags to riches tale will be full of all of the ingredients you love from the Eden Court panto: side-splitting slapstick, dazzling musical numbers and plenty of audience participation for the whole family.
FAREHAM LIVE
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
11 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Fee-fi-fo-fum! The Chase’s Anne Hegerty heads to Fareham Live this Christmas alongside returning panto Dame Josiah Eloi in a giant family adventure. When Jack swaps his family cow for a handful of magic beans, he finds himself on an epic journey to the land of giants. But with an evil giant terrorising the village, will Jack be able to save the day?
Expect dazzling sets, show-stopping songs, plenty of audience participation, and more magic than you can shake a bean at in a spectacular, toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud festive treat for the whole family.
GALLEON CENTRE, KILMARNOCK
BEAUTY AND THE BEASTIE
27 November 2026 – 27 December 2026
The Killie panto returns to the Galleon Auditorium this festive season with the enchanting tale of Beauty and the Beastie! When a selfish prince is cursed to live as a beast, his only hope is to find love before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. Can village beauty Belle see beyond appearances and learn to love a beast?
Packed with everything Kilmarnock panto audiences adore – a magical fairytale, laugh-out-loud comedy, toe-tapping songs and plenty of festive sparkle – this spectacular production promises fun for the whole family.
GLASGOW PAVILION
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BONNIE BEARS
26 November 2026 – 10 January 2027 (
Glasgow’s much-loved panto returns with Goldilocks and the Three Bonnie Bears, starring Pavilion favourites Liam Dolan, Grado, Stephen Purdon, Scott Fletcher, Jack Jester, Jennifer Neil, Valissa Scott and Craig
Glover, alongside The Dolls’ Louise McCarthy. When Goldilocks, daughter of circus owner Gertie, encounters a family of three bonnie bears, she must team up with her new furry friends to save the circus from a wicked ringmaster.
Packed with festive spirit, all of the usual Pav mayhem, side-splitting comedy, and plenty of surprises for kids and grown-ups alike, this is the Pavilion’s must-see festive tradition, fun, festive, and oh-so-full of cheer! Don’t miss the fairy-tale extravaganza that’s “just right” for the whole family!
LEAMINGTON ROYAL SPA CENTRE
CINDERELLA
04 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre/info/71/panto
Cinderella comes to the Royal Spa Centre this Christmas with dance duo AJ and Curtis Pritchard leading the cast.
Poor Cinderella toils night and day, dreaming of a very different life. When a royal invitation arrives, it seems her wish for a brighter future might finally come true. But will her Wicked Stepsisters spoil her chance at happiness? Or can her Fairy Godmother – with a little help from the ever-cheerful Buttons – work their magic in time?
Everyone’s favourite rags to riches tale will be full of all of the ingredients you love from the Spa Centre panto: side-splitting slapstick, dazzling musical numbers, and plenty of audience participation for the whole family.
NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
A tale as old as time is coming to life! Beauty and the Beast stars much-loved TV Presenter Gethin Jones star alongside film and stage actor Steve Speirs and Cardiff’s favourite Dame Mike Doyle in a panto packed with laugh-out-loud comedy, dazzling costumes, show-stopping songs, and jaw-dropping magic that will delight the entire family, When a Prince is cursed to live as a fearsome Beast, only true love can break the spell before the last petal falls. Could Belle, a book-loving village girl, be his heroine?
Join in the fun with a cast of colourful characters as they discover that true beauty lies within!
ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD
CINDERELLA
12 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
The biggest ball of the year awaits… and you’re all invited! Panto legend Joe Pasquale returns to Dartford to star in
Cinderella at the newly refurbished Orchard Theatre. He is joined by Musical Theatre favourites Keith Jack, Abbie Budden, Ben Goffe, Gareth Mitchell, Garnon Davies and Vanessa Dumatey.
As Cinderella dreams of escaping her life of chores, a royal invitation offers her the chance to change her fortunes – but can she make it to the ball before midnight?
Brilliantly brought to life with an amazing, immersive award-winning set featuring animated scenes, glittering costumes, and mesmerising special effects that will leave the whole family gasping with delight. Packed with plenty of festive sparkle, laugh-out-loud comedy, show-stopping songs, audience participation galore Cinderella promises to be the perfect festive treat for all the family.
READING HEXAGON
ALADDIN
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
www.whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/aladdin-panto-2026
Climb aboard the magic carpet and soar into the spectacular world of Aladdin as Reading’s favourite panto double act, children’s TV megastar Justin Fletcher and award-winning dame Paul Morse take you on a magical family adventure. on a spellbinding adventure as Aladdin attempts to outwit the wicked sorcerer, claim his fortune, and win the heart of his true love.
Full of laughter, wonder, and festive cheer, Aladdin will feature another dazzling digital set with animated scenes and mesmerising effects, plus all of the ingredients you know and love in a Hexagon pantomime - side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes and show-stopping musical numbers! Create unforgettable memories with friends and family in this fabulous Christmas treat
STAFFORD GATEHOUSE
ALADDIN
04 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Climb aboard the magic carpet and soar into the spectacular world of Aladdin Stafford’s unmissable family pantomime starring Mark Rhodes, David Phipps-Davis and Smantha Spragg. Will Aladdin outwit the wicked sorcerer, claim his fortune, and win the heart of his true love? Join us to find out in a spellbinding adventure bursting with laughter, wonder, and festive cheer.
Packed with side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes, and show-stopping musical numbers, Aladdin has all the ingredients for the ultimate Christmas treat.
SWANSEA GRAND
SNOW WHITE
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Are you ready for the most magical panto of them all? BBC presenter Owain Wyn Evans, CBeebies favourite Rebecca Keatley, singer and TV personality Suzanne Shaw, panto favourite Christian Patterson and funnyman
Steve Walls lead the cast of Snow White at Swansea Grand Theatre, with a special digital appearance from Swansea’s own Kev Johns.
When the Magic Mirror declares Snow White the fairest of them all, the Wicked Queen is consumed by jealousy. Can Snow White’s friends save her?
Packed with glittering costumes, show-stopping songs, laugh-out-loud comedy and more magic than you can wave a wand at, this is the Christmas tradition your family won't want to miss!
VENUE CYMRU
SLEEPING BEAUTY
12 December 2026 – 02 January 2027
Coronation Street’s Jack P Shepherd leads the cast of Sleeping Beauty at Venue Cymru this Christmas alongside Llandudno favourites John Evans, Simon Nehan , Britain’s Got Talent stars Han and Fran and musical theatre star Corrine Cherish. When wicked fairy Carabosse’s curse causes Princess Aurora to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her before it is too late?
Packed with everything you love about the Venue Cymru pantomime: a side-splitting comic, an outrageous dame, a delightfully devious baddie, spectacular musical numbers and plenty of slapstick fun for all ages. Don’t miss out on the panto of your dreams
VICTORIA THEATRE HALIFAX
ALADDIN
11 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Make your Christmas wishes come true as Aladdin takes to the stage at Halifax’s Victoria Theatre. Andrew Pollard and Matthew Allen, Halifax’s much-loved panto duo, return to pantoland for another magical adventure. Will Aladdin outwit the wicked sorcerer, claim his fortune and win the heart of his true love?
Climb aboard the magic carpet and soar into a spectacular world packed with laughter, wonder and festive cheer.
Packed with side-splitting comedy, dazzling costumes, and show-stopping musical numbers, Aladdin has all the ingredients for the ultimate Christmas treat.
WYCOMBE SWAN
PETER PAN
11 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
Darlings, she’s back! The fabulous La Voix returns to the Wycombe panto with even more magic, glitter (and sequins!) as the mischievous Tinker Bell. Expect comedy and mayhem as she teams up with hilarious funnyman Kev Orkian as Smee. One thing is for sure… you will be laughing your socks off all the way to Neverland!
Join Peter, Wendy, and the Lost Boys on a swashbuckling journey to the magical island Neverland, where adventure awaits around every corner - and the dastardly Captain Hook is never far behind.
Expect laugh-out-loud comedy, spectacular special effects, show-stopping songs, plenty of audience participation and all the panto magic you know and love, this timeless tale will delight children and grown-ups alike. It’s the perfect festive treat for the whole family.
WYVERN THEATRE, SWINDON
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
05 December 2026 – 03 January 2027
A giant adventure is climbing it’s way to the Wyvern Theatre this Christmas, starring Radio 2’s Richie Anderson, Britain’s Got Talent’s Jamie Leahey and Swindon’s favourite panto dame David Ashley. When Jack swaps the family cow for a handful of magic beans, he finds himself on an extraordinary journey to the land of giants. Will they really have to sell Buttercup the family cow just to survive?
Expect dazzling sets, show-stopping songs, plenty of audience participation, and more panto magic than you can shake a bean at! Bigger, bolder, and funnier than ever. Whether you’re a panto regular or brand new to the tradition, this is the festive treat you won’t want to miss.
Imagine Theatre are an innovative, award-winning theatre production company offering spectacular entertainment for the whole family across the UK.
Building on a legacy of family entertainment stretching back over 25 years, Imagine Theatre - led by husband-and-wife team Steve and Sarah Boden and supported by an amazing team of professionals – have produced more than 275 professional pantomimes and multiple children’s theatre tours.
Their family friendly shows have won multiple awards and have been received by audiences of all ages with huge positivity and to great critical acclaim. Over the last few years, Imagine Theatre have received almost forty nominations from the UK Pantomime Association Awards, winning nine, including awards for the Best Set and Best Pantomime over 900 seats.
Part of the Trafalgar Entertainment group of companies, each year Imagine Theatre facilitate productions in more than 50 venues across the UK. This year, Imagine Theatre are producing, co-producing or working in association with pantomimes in Bromley, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Coventry, Crewe, Dartford, Fareham, Glasgow, High Wycombe, Halifax, Hertford, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Kirkcaldy, Leamington Spa, Llandudno, Leicester, Reading, Stafford, Swansea and Swindon.
Spring 2026 also saw the continuation of the hugely popular UK tour of Justin Live - Justin Time To Rock, alongside Scrumptious House Productions, starring CBeebies Megastar Justin Fletcher. They will also be involved with producing an exciting new musical, Hen Night Horror, which debuted in 2024 in Scotland to critical acclaim and returns to Scottish theatres this Autumn.
Spring 2027 will see them touring the incomparable La Voix who will be visiting 35 theatres across the UK in her biggest and boldest show to date – La Voix Live and which will also include a date at the London Palladium.
Proud to be a Carbon Neutral company, Imagine Theatre operate from a purpose-built facility in Coventry which houses their head offices and a large scenic, costume and props store, as well as their costume and props workshops. Following substantial growth over the past couple of years, 2025 saw an exciting move to new larger premises in Coventry, Trafalgar House, also saw them create a Midlands hub for the Trafalgar Entertainment Group.
Imagine also provides a range of services from the hire of individual costumes, pantomime scripts, special effects or theatrical sets through to the staging of entire productions.
Over 500 actors, technicians, directors, designers, choreographers, musicians and stage management work for Imagine during the Christmas period using their skills to create the very best productions possible.
Whilst being cheerleaders of the wonderful traditional elements that make up a great panto, over the past few years Imagine have also worked with their creative teams to develop a new innovative and immersive pantomime experience which uses spectacular animated scenery and transports audiences into the world of the production, described by many critics and audience members as ‘Incredible’ and ‘Mesmerising’.
For further information check out their website at www.imaginetheatre.co.uk and follow them on Facebook, X or Instagram.
A full overview of Imagine Theatre’s 2026/2027 pantos.
Read MoreSouthport Theatre are delighted to announce that 5ive star Ritchie Neville will be playing the title role in their spectacular family panto Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas.
Ritchie shot to fame in the late 90s, aged just seventeen, when the band released the single ‘Slam Dunk (Da Funk)’. They went on to sell over 40 million records world-wide including ‘Keep on Movin’ and ‘If Ya Getting Down’. The band teamed up with rock legends Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen to open the BRITS and took ‘We Will Rock You’ to number one in the UK. They also performed two sell-out world tours and had four number one albums.
Ritchie moved to Australia, returning to the UK for The Big Reunion reality documentary and tour and appearing in the first series of Channel 4’s The Jump. Ritchie is now a regular presenter on Hits Radio with a Sunday slot celebrating the hits of the 90s and 00s as well as still performing all over the world with 5ive.
Ritchie is no stranger to panto having appeared in Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast and says about appearing in panto in Southport this year: “I am over the moon to be stepping back into panto-land. I’ve never played Jack before and it is going to be a lot of fun and laughter.”
Emma Lloyd Creative Director said: “Last year’s panto was the most successful since 2012 and we received amazing feedback from audiences. We see pantomime as a hugely important element of our yearly programme and part of our long term plan to develop a programme of fantastic, top-quality theatre alongside music, comedy and more.”
“Ritchie Neville in the starring role is amazing, a huge draw for us and we look forward to presenting something very special with our partners Imagine Theatre this year”.
Steve Boden, Managing Directing of Imagine Theatre, “We are delighted that Ritchie will be performing in Jack and the Beanstalk in Southport for us this Christmas. He is a really strong performer and has a cheeky chappie personality which is perfectly suited to the role of Jack.”
“The popularity of the panto has been growing steadily in the last few years and we are promising another fantastic show this year. We had sell-out performances last year so we recommend booking tickets early.”
Don’t miss this GIANT of a pantomime. Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Friday 13 – Sunday 29 December 2019.
To book tickets call the box office on 01704 500036 or book online at www.waterfrontsouthport.co.uk
For more information or to book tickets call 01704 500036 or visit waterfrontsouthport.co.uk (booking fees apply)
“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 Sunday, 26 August, Eden Court are holding open audition for children aged 9-16* for the the biggest pantomime of them all - Jack and the Beanstalk. *Please see the venue page on the website for more information. http://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/pantomimes/2018-jack-and-the-beanstalk-inverness
Eden Court are delighted to be able to announce their full cast for this year’s gigantic family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.
Once again Steven Wren will be both directing and starring in the show as Dame Trot as well as being the lead scriptwriter. The hilarious Ross Allan returns to play Jack with Marj Hogarth as the Fairy and joining the team this year are Chris O’Mara as the villainous Foosty McScunner, Graham MacKay-Bruce as the King and Jennifer Neil as Jill.
Ross Allan is delighted to be returning to Eden Court, and in particular to be playing the title character. “It is great that I get to play Jack – hopefully it means I get the girl this year. My only reservation is that I'm slightly scared of heights so no idea how I'll cope with the beanstalk!”
“I love working with the multi-talented Steven Wren!! It never really feels like work when you get the chance to work with friends, and we get on really well together both on stage and off.”
New to the Inverness panto team this year, Chris O’Mara cannot wait for his first appearance at the venue. “This is the first time I’ve performed at Eden Court, but the theatre’s reputation precedes itself! I performed in many amateur pantomimes when I was younger but last year was my first professional panto, playing the Prince and the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. It was so much fun - there is no better feeling in live performance than having an audience shout at you, and you’re allowed to shout back!!”
“I am really looking forward to playing a baddie I think it’s every performer’s dream to have hundreds of children booing and hissing at you on stage!! I’m so looking forward to becoming the villain, that I’ve been scowling at children I pass in the street, evil laughing whenever I see someone trip up, and stealing sweets from babies! But seriously, I’m thrilled to have the chance to switch it up and become the bad guy for a change!”
Steve Boden, Managing Director of Producer’s Imagine Theatre, says “we are thrilled to have Steven Wren and Ross Allan back as they work so well together on stage and the Eden Court audience love them. Having played the baddie in her last few appearances I can’t wait to see Marj playing the goodie for once! We have a great cast with an hilarious script, not to mention a fantastic giant, so we promise another fabulous show this festive season.”
Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Tuesday 4 Dec until Sunday 6 January 2018.
For more information or to book tickets call the Eden Court box office on 01463 234234 or visit the website.
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.
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.”
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.
Imagine Theatre, Trafalgar House, 186 Torrington Avenue, Canley, Coventry, CV4 9AJ. T: +44 2476 307001
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