Beauty and the Beast : Cast in town to launch countdown to panto

The cast of this year’s panto came to town on Saturday.

Beauty And The Beast is at the Palace Theatre, Newark, from December 8 to January 3.

Jonathan Wrather (Eugene); Tim Freeman (Dame Dorothy Do-It); Ryan Willis (Willy Do-It); Isabella Rubin (Beauty); and David Gilbrook (Beauty’s Father) spread plenty of panto pandemonium as they explored the town.

The cast checked out the market before heading to Newark Castle, but not before Tim, in character as the dame, tried her luck with an unsuspecting groom waiting for his bride-to-be.

Tim is returning after playing Dame Trot in 2016’s Jack And The Beanstalk.

"Everyone is excited"

Laura Taylor, head of marketing for producers Imagine Theatre, said: “The launch was fabulous.

“It was great to get the cast out and about with the people of Newark and everyone is excited to be returning at Christmas.”

Theatre manager Carys Coulton Jones said: “It is always fantastic to welcome our panto cast to the town for the first time.

“We’re thrilled to have Tim returning this year and he was pointing out Newark’s highlights to the rest of the cast on their way through town.”

The panto fun continued on Sunday when the teams from the Palace and Imagine auditioned a record-breaking number of youngsters to be part of the show’s junior chorus.

More than 100 children tried out for their chance to be in one of two teams of eight needed for the show.

Choreographer Graeme Pickering said: “With so many talented children, it was very difficult to whittle it down to just two teams plus a team of reserves as all the children worked so hard.

“Dance is a big part of the audition process but we also look for children with something extra that makes them stand out.”

Harriet Wright, audience development manager for the Palace, said: “We were overjoyed with the turnout.

“It goes to show that everyone is starting to think ahead to Christmas and that they are very excited about Beauty And The Beast.

“This weekend was the perfect way to celebrate the countdown to Christmas and we are already looking forward to another incredible pantomime at the Palace.”

Panto tickets are available from the Palace Theatre box office on 01636 655755 or via palacenewark.com