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Beauty and the Beast - Porthcawl 2009


  • Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, Esplanade Porthcawl CF36 3YW (map)

Beauty and the Beast is the 2009/10 pantomime for the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

This page will be updated with backstage news and insider gossip from both Imagine and the venue. Keep checking back for updates!

You can find lots more photos on our Beauty and the Beast Facebook photo album.


Production Planning Meeting

30th October 2009

It's really nearly here - only 1 month until panto rehearsals commence, so we've been busy at work preparing for the show.

Wednesday 28th October saw Ian from Imagine (Production Manager for the show) head down to the Grand Pavilion for a produciton meeting with the venue technical team.

And today there's another sound and lighting production meeting going on in Coventry. Here's a photo to prove it!

L-R - SImon Butcher - Lighting Designer, Ian Plimbley - Production Manager and Rob Marsden - Show Director.


Babes auditions

19th September 2009

The babes are cast! Following a really good day where we saw some great talent, 2 teams of 8 babes were chosen for the pantomime. Thanks for coming, everyone, and well done to those who got through. We can't wait to work with you!


The Flyer is out

1st September 2009


Photo shoot day (behind the scenes!)

1st August 2009

Today was photo shoot day for the panto, to get some publicity shots in the can ready for press and marketing on the panto.

We had a great fun day! Steve and Sarah Boden from Imagine (along with their three year old daughter Holly), were joined by Rob Marsden (the panto director), Helen Ashbourne (our photographer) and panto stars Neil Roberts (playing Eugene), Claire Hammet (playing Beauty) and Jessica Sandry (playing the Enchantress). Neil's 8 year old son, Archie came along too.

We had such a fun day. Helen's official photos will be out soon and we'll upload some of them here. In the mean time, Sarah was behind the scenes snapping with her camera. Here's what she took!

While Neil was getting ready for his head shots, Steve was trying to work out what to do with Helen's flash umbrella!

... and Jess has a glass of wine! Well, what else would she have? Welcome back lovely! Can't wait to work with you again this year and we're ready or ll the laughs and fun! x

The two wise directors - Rob and Steve comtemplate life, the universe, and just what is going on in the photograph being taken behind the theatre box office... you'llhave to see what was happening when we get the official photos out!

Just what photo had Helen taken of Claire that had made her so shocked?!


And some more cast members announced...

24th July 2009

We are delighted to announce that this year the Grand Pavilion pantomime will star Neil Roberts, star of Holby City and Disney's 'Life Bites'.

Neil Robets

In addition, we welcome two newcomers to the Grand Pavilion.

Claire Hammett as Beauty

Danny Grehan as the Father


Some more cast members announced

24th July 2009

We're absolutely delighted to be welcoming back Vern Griffiths (who was the Genie in last year's Aladdin) and Jessica Sandry (who was So-Shi). Can't wait to work with you again, guys! xxx

Vern Griffiths will play Pimple

Jessica Sandry will play the Enchantress


Tony's out on tour with Real Radio

14th June 2009

Tony and his breakfast DJ partner, Angela, are undertaking their Wales-wide tour for Real Radio this week - and the show on Tuesday 16th June will be broadcast from outside the Grand Pavilion! Have a great show, Tony and Angela, and fingers crossed the weather is kind to you!!


Tony gets into Costume

24th April 2009

Tony Wright headed over to the Grand Pavilion today to get himself into costume for some early publicity shots! It was lovely to catch up with him, and we're really looking foward to working with him again this year.


First cast member is announced

6th March 2009

We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce that Real Radio's Tony Wright will be returning to the Grand Pavilion for the second year, to play 'Dame Dorothy Doo-it'

Great to be working with you again, Tony!


The panto is on sale!

2nd February 2009

We officially put the panto on sale today. Here is the performance schedule...

Earlier Event: December 10
Aladdin - Shaw Theatre London 2009
Later Event: December 12
Cinderella - Halifax 2009