Latest On Song column, October 23

 ALL together now! Panto season is coming around. Oh, no, it isn’t! Oh, yes, it is!

One of the most eagerly-anticipated pantomimes in west Wales is the show staged by Theatrau Sir Gâr / Carmarthenshire Theatres at The Lyric in Carmarthen.

This year, it is the turn of Beauty and the Beast, which will run from December 12-29.

The festive favourite promises to be a spectacular show filled with magical moments, plenty of laughs, and all the panto fun that families have come to love.

Following on from the success of last year’s pantomime (seen by nearly 8,000 local people), Beauty and the Beast will be produced in-house again by the Theatrau Sir Gâr team, in arrangement with the renowned pantomime producing company, Imagine Theatre.

This year’s Beauty and the Beast cast includes three Carmarthenshire-born cast members.

The line-up includes -

•        Steve Elias as the hilarious and larger-than-life Dame Sylvia Scrub-it.

Steve is delighted to be returning to his hometown to take on the legendary role of the panto dame. After leaving Carmarthen for London in his late teens, Steve has carved out an impressive and highly successful career on the stage and screen. Steve was part of the original company for Billy Elliot and created the role of Mr Braithwaite. He also shared the stage with Patrick Swayze in the award-winning production of Guys and Dolls at London’s Piccadilly Theatre. Appearances in the West End productions of Oklahoma, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Showboat, to name just a few, have been career highlights. TV and movie roles include Grandpa in my Pocket, Holby City and Victoria Wood’s Midlife Christmas and Save the Cinema.

Ahead of his panto debut at the Lyric, Steve said: “I’m thrilled and honoured to be performing Dame Scrub-It in my hometown! Warning – she’s looking for love, a husband and diamonds…not necessarily in that order!”  

•        Carwyn Glyn as the lovable sidekick Sammy Scrub-it.

Another Carmarthen boy, Carwyn hails from Pontyates and may be better known to audiences as DJ in the long-running S4C / BBC Studio’s Welsh soap opera, Pobol y Cwm. Carwyn also recently appeared in a new feature film Dream Horse for Film4, alongside Damian Lewis and Toni Collette. Rugby fans will also be familiar with Carwyn’s dulcet tones, as he’s also the Matchday MC for the Llanelli Scarlets rugby region. Ahead of his appearance in Beauty and the Beast this December, Carwyn said: “I’m looking forward to coming home to the Lyric over Christmas!”

•        Ceri-Anne Thomas as the beautiful and kind-hearted Belle.

Bridgend girl, Ceri-Anne, is thrilled to be stepping back into the blue gingham dress for her second time appearing in panto as Belle, following on from her successful run in Porthcawl Grand Pavilion’s production last year. “I’m looking forward to bringing this ‘Beast of a panto’ to the amazing community of Carmarthen. Growing up, Belle was always an inspirational figure as she’s not a ‘damsel in distress’ and I cannot wait to hopefully inspire the next generation of Belles whilst spreading Christmas cheer”.

•        Alexandra George as the mystical Enchantress.

A former pupil of Queen Elizabeth High School, Alexandra appeared in many Carmarthen Youth Opera productions as a youngster growing up in the town. She’s excited to be stepping back onto the Lyric stage this Christmas to appear as the spellbinding Enchantress. Alexandra is no stranger to panto having played Lavinia Lifestyle in Jack and the Beanstalk at Royal Leamington Spa last Christmas and her other stage work includes The Thursford Christmas Spectacular.

“I’m so excited to be performing at the Lyric Theatre this Christmas in Beauty and the Beast. As a young girl I grew up performing with Merlin Youth Theatre and Carmarthen Youth Opera and those experiences defined who I am as a professional performer.  I am over the moon to be able to come back to the Lyric and share this lovely show!”

•        Neil Moors as the villainous yet charming Gaston.

After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music and Birmingham School of Speech and Drama Manchester native, Neil, has gone on to build an impressive CV of stage and TV credits. He’s appeared in Coronation Street, the West End production of Mama Mia, the UK tour of Rebecca The Musical! Great Expectations and has many pantomimes credits to his name. 

Neil is very excited to be heading to Carmarthenshire to take on the role of Gaston this Christmas – he’s also very much looking forward to exploring this corner of Wales between shows with his two dogs. 

•        Jonathan Alden as both the dashing Prince and the fearsome Beast

Originally from Gloucestershire, Jonathan now calls Swansea home so it’s extra special for him to be performing his first panto in Wales this Christmas.

After graduating from the Guildford School of Acting, Jonathan has gone on to win roles in many prestigious productions including performing in the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Misérables at London’s O2, Phantom of the Opera, also the UK tours of Joseph & The Technicolour Dreamcoat and Billy Eliott. Jonathan has also played Bill Sykes in Oliver! Dave in The Full Monty.

"I am really looking forward to being part of Carmarthen's panto this year! For me it's so much fun to bring a good story, loads of laughs, festive fun and lots of audience interaction to people at Christmas! It's often children's first experience of theatre too, so that's always fantastic!”

There will be a ‘relaxed’ performance of Beauty and the Beast on December 27 at 6pm and a BSL signed performance on December 15, 6pm. There are also selected daytime performances in the last two weeks of term for school audiences. Full details are available on the website or by calling the box office. 

For ticket information and booking, please visit www.theatrausirgar.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 0345 226 3510.

In other news, Llanelli’s Meibion Elli male choir are planning a fifth anniversary concert on Saturday, November 9.

It will be held at Greenfield Chapel and will feature Llanelli’s Samuel Wyn-Morris and the popular Llanelli-based Phil Harmonics ladies choir.

Meibion Elli will be under the baton of musical director Eifion Thomas, with Aled Maddock as the accompanist. The Phil Harmonics will be under leader Sara Richards and musical director Phil Thomas.

Tickets are £15 and can be purchased at Llanelly House with a percentage donation going to the Georgian tourist attraction for each sale.

Tickets can also be obtained through Davies Craddock Estate in Murray Street, Llanelli, with a percentage of their sales going towards the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli.

Tickets can also be purchased at Llanelli Docks Post Office and from choir chairman Mr Thomas on 01554 820644 or 07985136672.