It’s a beauty of a panto... and a beast of a show!
ALTHOUGH the weather is getting colder panto season is hotting up in Southport as rehearsals begin for our spectacular family pantomime Beauty and the Beast in just four weeks.
So – let’s take a sneak peek at what’s is happening behind the scenes at Southport Theatre.
The show is fully cast, there are two teams of eager juvenile dancers excitedly awaiting the start of rehearsals, the scripts are on their way, the wardrobe team are putting the final touches to the array of stunning costumes for the panto and the props department are hard at work creating all the props needed for the show.
Roz Simpson, head of props at Imagine Theatre, said: “There are quite a number of props we need for the show, for example in the famous scene where Belle and the Beast have dinner together, we need to design and make all the platters of food that the juvenile dancers bring on, as well as majestic candelabras, regal dining chairs, place setting etc and then there are props for all the others scenes as well as the slosh scene which has a beautician theme this year.
“There are also smaller props such as the map that Cedric is tricked into using that takes him to the Beast’s castle.”
The wardrobe team have around 80 costumes just for this production alone, which range from simple villagers, wolves… to a suit of armour, and not forgetting Belle’s stunning ball gown which is always guaranteed to receive gasps of admiration from the audience.
Dawn Outhwaite, head of wardrobe, said: “If you asked someone to guess how many costumes are in the show I don’t think they would even be close.
“Jason, who’s playing Dame Kimmy, has eight costumes, some of which are really elaborate and outrageous.
“I think my favourite is probably his finale one, but I am not going to tell you what it is – you will have to come and see the show.”
The team at Southport Theatre are also in preparation mode to welcome thousands of families into the venue throughout December.
This year’s panto has already outsold all past performances and is set to break box office records!
Look out for the cast at this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On event this Sunday, November 18.
They are joined by S Club 3, Livin’ Joy and 911 – so put your dancing shows on and wrap up warm…. it’s going to be a night to remember.
Beauty and the Beast runs from Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 30.
For more information or to book tickets call 0844 871 3021 or visit www. atgtickets.com/southport