Hot on the heels of winning two awards in the UK Pantomime Association Awards, including Best Panto, Swansea Grand and Imagine have TV favourites and dancing duo, AJ and CURTIS PRITCHARD, in the cast of this year’s magical family pantomime CINDERELLA.
They join panto favourites, KEV JOHNS and MATT EDWARDS, who return this year, alongside the award winning, ground-breaking digital set with beautifully animated scenes.
We went along to the theatre, on the second day of rehearsals, to meet the all of the main cast, including Cinderella herself, SAMANTHA THOMAS. Returning favourite STEFAN PEJIC, and the Wicked Step-Sisters ELLA BIDDLECOMBE & SOPHIE SHERIDAN.
AJ told us…….
“I’m thrilled to be back playing the perfect role as Prince Charming this Christmas and very excited to be performing with the digital set to make the performance really pop! Spending this Christmas in Swansea is going to be brilliant. Pantomime has become a way of life for me now and I wouldn’t change that for the world. Performing, and most importantly dancing, always makes me excited and to be back performing with Curtis always keeps it interesting & competitive, we absolutely want to give the audience a show they’ll never forget!”
Curtis added……
“Panto is back and I’m coming to Swansea. I’m super excited to be performing at the Grand and doing Cinderella once again. It feels like home to me doing this show. I know the role inside out and I cannot wait to perform on stage right by the seaside, one of my favourite places to be. Hopefully I can sneak out after some shows and get some ice cream and enjoy it with everyone who comes and watches. I’ll be back performing with my brother, aka the ugly sister, but he calls himself Prince Charming. No idea why? I can’t wait to see you all there!”
Cinderella promises to bring all traditional pantomime ingredients that you know and love: hilarious slapstick comedy, stunning musical numbers and plenty of audience interaction.
Swansea’s favourite panto Dame, Kev told us……
“I am so excited about coming back to the Grand with Imagine Theatre for this year’s pantomime production of Cinderella. Last year’s production of Beauty and the Beast was voted the UK’s best panto and I know this year will be the same.”
Firm Swansea favourite Matt, who appears in his 5th Grand panto this Christmas,
“YES, YES AND YES! I am so crazy excited to be returning to Swansea for another panto with Imagine. After the huge success of Beauty and the Beast, I’m eager to get started and enjoy some more fun and laughter with my Swansea family. WHO ARE WE??!!”
Swansea Grand Theatre manager, Grant McFarlane said…..
“Tickets for this year’s panto are already selling well and this cast announcement will only boost them further. We’re really looking forward to welcoming the celebrity dancing duo, AJ and Curtis Pritchard, and applaud the return of local legend, Kev Johns, and the hilarious Matt Edwards.”
CINDERELLA is at the Swansea Grand from Saturday 9th December through to Sunday 7th January 2024. Tickets are selling fast for everyone’s favourite rags to riches tale. For more details, and to book yours, go HERE.
