The Grand Pavilion’s Panto Cast Set for a Ball This Christmas
/The Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl are delighted to announce their full cast for the magical family pantomime Cinderella.
As previously announced Grand Pavilion favourites Jolyon Dixon and Nathan Guy are returning for another year of panto mayhem and joining them are some familiar faces from last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk. Jeremy Cave who played the villainous Fleshcreep is getting touch with his dark side again, albeit this time in a dress as an Ugly Sister.
“I was 18 when I did my first panto and I played an Ugly Sister on a world trip onboard the cruise ship the Oriana - that was 12 years ago so can't wait to put the lippy back on! I am looking forward to getting back with all the gang as it was an amazing cast and crew on Jack and the Beanstalk so I am delighted a lot of the same people are back again. Me and Jolyon had such a laugh on stage and off and just can't wait to partner up with him this year for more hilarity!”
“I really enjoyed spending last Christmas in Porthcawl. It is hard to pin point my favourite thing but you can't beat that view every morning! We were lucky with the weather and nearly every day there was a beautiful sunrise and sunset.”
Rasheeda Ali and Jessie Lilley are also returning for their second year. Rasheeda is taking on the title role of Cinderella, having played Princess Tamara last year.
“I am delighted to be back home for Christmas again this year. It means that not only do I get to spend Christmas with my family, they get to see me in panto. My mum tells everyone she knows to come and see it and I lost count of the amount of times she saw Jack and the Beanstalk!”
“Last year was my first ever panto and I enjoyed it so much I was really excited to be invited back again this year. Cinderella is one of the most well-known of the fairy tale princesses so it is a bit nerve racking.”
Jessie played Jack last year and is delighted to be returning to Wales for the festive season as Prince Charming. “Part of the reason I am so excited to be back is to work with such a fabulous cast and crew again. Panto in Porthcawl always feels like a real team effort and everyone is very supportive of each other.”
The Grand Pavilion are also welcoming two new cast members this year with Courtney King playing the dual roles of Wicked Stepmother and Fairy Godmother and Elin Pavli-Hinde as Dandini.
Courtney says “This will be my first visit to the Grand Pavilion. The nearest I have been to Porthcawl before is Cardiff with Round the Horne. It won’t be my first Cinderella though as I have played Fairy Godmother twice before and Wicked Stepmother twice, but never both at the same time. I am looking forward to the contrast between the two, as they are so strikingly different.”
It is also Elin’s first visit to the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl but she has previously appeared in three pantomimes for Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
“I adore panto as it is a great mixture of magic and comedy and a brilliant introduction to theatre for kids. My favourite panto memory is probably when I saw Cinderella’s rags turn into a ballgown for the first time as a child… I was completely mesmerized… I remember thinking this must be magic!"
Cinderella runs from Friday 15 December 2017 until Sunday 7 January 2018. After successive record breaking seasons we advise booking tickets early to ensure you get seats at your preferred performance.
