This page will be updated with news, photos and insider gossip during the build up to, and during the 2008/9 pantomime season. Check back for updates!
This year's pantomime at The Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, is Aladdin which runs from Saturday 13th December 2008 to Sunday 4th January 2009.
The panto is now closed
4th January 2009
After 37 performances, Aladdin closed at about 8:30pm this evening.
It's been a fantastic show, and we've had alot of fun. Thanks so much to the cast and crew, but mostly to the team from the Grand Pavilion. Thank you for making us so welcome in our first year!
We're really looking forward to being back in December 2009 with Beauty and the Beast!
xx
End of show party!
3rd January 2009
All the cast and crew got together at the Atlantic Hotel, Porthcawl, after the 6pm show on Friday 2nd January for an end of show party thrown by the theatre - thanks for a great party!
A trip backstage
2nd January 2009
The cast have been snapping away back stage and out and about. Here's some of what the Aladdin cast and crew have been up to in production week, and during the run!
The First Crit is out
17th December 2008
Here's what The Stage thought of the panto...
“There are knock-about Keystone Kops, a messy slosh scene involving a volunteer from the audience, a quite delightful elephant, a high flying magic carpet and much more besides opportunities for shouted responses. It all makes for feel-good family entertainment.”
The Production Photos are Here
14th December 2008
Getting their own back!
13th December 2008
Every WISH panto features a VERY messy slapstick routine, and the Grand Pavilion's panto is no exception. And during technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals, the cast have a chance to 'get their own back' on the WISH team and venue staff!! For the technical rehearsals, it was Steve Boden, the panto director and WISH General Manager, who got 'sloshed' - we know some photos exist of this and we're just waiting for them to be emailed through!
For the dress rehearsals it was firstly Sarah from WISH who got 'sloshed' and then on final dress, it was acting Venue Manager Mark Philips turn!!
Sarah gets sloshed
Then it's Marks turn!!
The panto is open!
13th December 2008
Following 2 very busy weeks of rehearsal, the panto opened at 1pm this afternoon to packed houses, and the run is selling at an amazing rate! We are so excited. Thanks so much to the cast, crew and venue staff for a great rehearsal period and heres to a great run.
Our friend Adam was on hand to take some production photos and we'll upload those very soon. In the mean time, Sarah from WISH was at the venue taking some insider shots of the auditorium. We've never seen the Grand Pavilion look so amazing - take a look!
The Auditorium
Close ups of the stage & false pros
Director Steve (in black on left) and Production Manager Ian (in black on right) have a chat with the cast on stage
First rehearsal today!
1st December 2008
So, at last, we're into rehearsals in Porthcawl!
Director Steve Boden, Choreographer Lucy Holloway, Musical Director Matthew Loughran and all of the cast and crew met this morning at the Grand Pavilion. Then after the meet and greet, they headed over to the Seabank Hotel where rehearsals are taking place. A read through of the script took place, followed by commencing the blocking for the show.
Unfortunately our production manager Richard has taken poorly and had to drop out of the panto. He's replaced by Ian Plimbley who is WISH's technical and stores manager, so the show is in really capable hands with Ian!
Steve says that if the amounts of laughter during the read through are anything to go by, then it's going to be a cracking show. We just await the rehearsal photos pls chaps!!
Rehearsals start tomorrow
30th November 2008
So, here we go! Rehearsals with the main cast start tomorrow. The first babes rehearsal took place yesterday, and all the cast meet at the Grand Pavilion at 10am tomorrow morning. We can't wait to get cracking!
Panto Production Meeting
7th November 2008
There are lots of biscuits being eaten at WISH today. They claim it's brain food for a production meeting to plan Aladdin at the Grand Pavilion!
Steve Boden (Director), Richard Curran (Production Manager) and Simon Butcher (Lighting Designer) are meeting today and are plotting and scheming for the panto... and eating lots of biscuits!
All quiet on the panto front?...
5th November 2008
... hmm, we think not!
Sales for Aladdin at the Grand Pavilion are reaching levels never previously seen this far out from the opening of the run, and the theatre are continuing to see demand grow day on day.
Director Steve Boden and Choreographer Lucy Holloway have met up and spent a day plotting and scheming what madcap and hairbrained ideas they have to make this the most spectacular, dazzling and fun filled pantomime ever seen at the Grand Pavilion.
Don't beleive us? Well, just you come along and see for yourselves! As we said, tickets are selling at an unbelieveable rate. Make sure you don't miss out on picking up your own tickest for the hottest show in town!
Fancy a snippet of music?
15th September 2008
Phoney Tony catches out the Grand Pavilion Box Office!
15th September 2008
Tony Wright, who is playing Dame at this years panto, really caught out the box office team at the Grand Pavilion last week! He phoned up, pretending to be Danny La Rue, and asked if he could have a part in the panto. Georgia, one of the box office team, answered the phone and we think she did brilliantly!
BIG Thanks to Real Radio and Tony Wright for letting us upload this onto our website. But most of all, thanks to Georgia for being such a fab sport and agreeing to let us upload it too!
Some snaps of the principals
13th September 2008
We were absolutely delighted when some of the principal cast came to the babes auditions! We took some quick snaps.
The panto babes are cast!
13th September 2008
Thanks to the 141 babes who registered to audition for a part in Aladdin!
All auditionees performed in front of Steve Boden (Director), Alli Coyne (Auditions Choreographer) & Sarah Boden (WISH Theatre Ltd). Several of the principal cast were also present - Robyn Lee, Jen Wallen, Vern Griffiths & Chris Corcoran.
We were absolutely delighed with the standard, and are pleased to announce that this year, there will be 2 teams of 12 babes performing, as well as 5 'reserves'.
Well done to all who were successful - we can't wait to work with you!!
The panto is cast!
14th August 2008
Here's who will be appearing in panto in Porthcawl this year
- Chris Corcoran (CBeebies) as Wishee Washee
- Tony Wright (Real Radio) as Widow Twankey
- Chris Morgan as Abanaza
- Vern Griffiths as the Genie
- Jamie Lee Mason as Aladdin
- Jessica Sandry as So-Shi
- Robyn Lee as Princess Baldroubador
- Jennifer Wallen as Spirit of the Ring
The panto flyer is out
8th August 2008
Press Shoot for Aladdin
10th April 2008
Tony Wright (Widow Twankey) and Chris Corcoran (Wishee Washee) meet up for the press shoot for Aladdin at the Grand Pavilion.
