Cast announced for Theatr Clwyd’s Big Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto, Sleeping Beauty
As the summer comes to an end and the school year starts once again there is only one thing on everyone’s mind, PANTO! Today the cast for Theatr Clwyd’s annual Rock ‘n’ Roll panto has been announced.
Written once again by award-winning writer Christian Patterson, audiences can expect a show full of quick wit and comedic quips. For one year only the show will take place in a Big Top Tent. Christian is one of the most recognisable faces on the Theatr Clwyd stage, having performed on it many times in shows including The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Insignificance.
Returning to this dreamy panto is Phylip Harries as Nurse Nellie, also returning is award-winning panto villain Ben Locke as Mordecai, Alice McKenna as Fang, Celia Cruwys-Finnigan as Muddles, Caitlin Lavagna as Cwtch, Georgina White as Calon and Dan Bottomley as King Dom.
Making their Theatr Clwyd debuts are Theo Diedrick as Snarl, Emma Kinney as Beauty and Ai Kumar as Cariad.
The creative team includes Set and Costume Designer: Adrian Gee, Choreographer: Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, Lighting Designer: Johanna Town, Sound Designer: Matthew Williams, Musical Director: Tayo Akinbode, Fight Director: Kaitlin Howard, Casting Director: Kay Magson, Assistant Director: Juliette Manon.
This year Francesca Goodridge and Daniel Lloyd, Associate Directors of Theatr Clwyd, will direct the Rock ‘n’ Roll panto. Having performed in Theatr Clwyd pantomimes for many years and been Associate Director on last year’s award-winning panto, Daniel is no stranger to the genre. Francesca Goodridge was Assistant Director on Dick Wittington Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto at Theatr Clwyd in 2018 as well as directing Christmas shows at other venues.
Francesca Goodridge and Daniel Lloyd said:
We are delighted to be directing the legendary Theatr Clwyd pantomime this year. The two of us have so much love for the Clwyd panto and, to get to step off the stage and direct it is proof that dreams can come true in real life – and not just in fairy tales! This will be a brand-new experience for our audiences as the Big Top promises to deliver rockin’ panto on a scale we’ve never seen before – it’s going to be a treat! Our terrific team is made up of some familiar faces and some exciting new debut performances. We will have all the silly gags, all the panto magic, and tunes that will rock your socks off…with some new surprises along the way of course. Strap in – It’s going to be big and bold, colourful, and Christmassy. We can’t wait to share it with you all!
For one year only Theatr Clwyd’s Rock ‘n’ Roll panto takes place in a Big Top Tent as the re-development of the building continues. The Big Top will seat over 900 audience members on three sides, meaning audiences will be closer to the action than ever before. The space is heated and has padded seats. There is level access with 10 wheelchair spaces available, the shuttle bus will also be running from the car park for those that need it.
Theatr Clwyd is one of only four theatres in the country to build sets, and props, create and paint scenery and makes costumes entirely in-house. And this production will be no different. The creative team have already been hard at work painting, building, sewing and making props for this huge-scale production.
Tickets are selling fast for this year’s show with over 18,000 already booked, so don’t miss out, be quick and book now.
Sleeping Beauty can be seen at Theatr Clwyd (Big Top) from Thursday 30 November 2023 to Saturday 6 January 2024.
Accessible performances take place on the following dates: Singed 9 Dec 2pm/7pm. Captioned 15 Dec 7pm/5 Jan 7pm. Audio Described 21 Dec 7pm/29 Dec 7pm. Relaxed 4 Jan 2pm.
Tickets are from £15 and are available from the Theatr Clwyd Box Office on 01352 344101 or at www.theatrclwyd.com