12 replies to this topic

[Titan]

Casting for Jack and the Beanstalk

Thu 12 Apr 2012

TRADITIONAL PANTOMIME IS BACK AT THE MAYFLOWER

This festive season sees the return of traditional family pantomime to The Mayflower when Jack and the Beanstalk is brought magically to life by a superb cast.

One of the country’s most recognisable entertainers, Julian Clary, will lead the cast in the role of Spirit of the Beans. He will be joined by one of British theatre’s biggest stars, the smooth-talking TV heart-throb, Nigel Havers as Fleshcreep. Lee Mead West End star makes his pantomime debut in the title role of Jack. Making a special guest star appearance is the comedian and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, as Simple Simon, and his cheeky companion Sam.

During his career Julian Clary has turned his hand to comedy, acting, presenting, writing and he even performed as a novice dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, where he reached the final. As well as his autobiography, Julian has written two novels. Julian has appeared in numerous record-breaking family pantomimes all over the UK.

Nigel Havers is renowned for playing charming, smooth-talking characters throughout his distinguished career. He has appeared in countless television programmes including Lunch Monkeys, Little Britain, Brothers and Sisters, Sarah Jane Adventures, Dangerfield and The Charmer to name but a few. His numerous film roles include Empire of the Sun, A Passage to India and Chariots of Fire. Nigel can currently be seen reprising his role as Lewis Archer in Coronation Street.

Lee Mead came to prominence winning the BBC show, Any Dream Will Do, and took the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Lee has most recently been playing Fiyero in the London production of Wicked! and Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde the Musical. Lee’s new album Lee Mead Love Songs was released in February and he has just finished The Love Tour with Louise Dearman.

With more than three million hits on YouTube and guest appearances on ITV1’s Comedy Rocks and three Royal Variety Performances, Paul Zerdin has helped reinvigorate the art of ventriloquism with his humorous and edgy style. His many television appearances include ITV's Tonight at the London Palladium, Shirley Bassey's 60th Birthday Special for LWT, BBC1’s The Generation Game and Late Night with Jerry Springer.

Jonathan Kiley, Executive Producer for Jack and the Beanstalk said, “We are delighted to have such a superb cast for this year’s pantomime which will also feature fantastic and unmissable 3D special effects. The production has got something for everyone including an abundance of laughs, sensational musical numbers and fabulous sets and costumes. Southampton has never seen a pantomime on this scale before and I am sure the production will delight audiences of all ages.”

Dennis Hall, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive said, “It is fantastic that we can bring traditional pantomime back to Southampton with the biggest panto producer in the business. We listened to our audiences who wanted a return to family pantomime, and boy are they in for a treat here.“

Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s largest pantomime producer. Featuring a larger-than-life beanstalk and one very mean giant at the top of it! The traditional elements of a family pantomime combine with visual effects, including a fantastic 3D enchanted forest and journey through the Giant’s castle. This is pantomime at its best!

Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk are on sale on Friday 20 April from The Mayflower Box Office tel: 02380 711811, online at mayflower.org.uk or in person from the Mayflower ticket south shop in The Mall (Marlands), Southampton. Ovation Restaurant bookings: 02380 711833

[*Beatrice*]

For Lee Mead this is a bit of a come down from a West End musical. It will be hard work doing 2 performances everyday. He must be doing it for the experience.

[Carmella1]

4 weeks at Christmas to exercise his comedy moves.  In a very expensive production with a high end cast for a short time.  Should be very good for his experience.

[Titan]

Carmella1, on 13 April 2012 - 03:11 AM, said:

<br />4 weeks at Christmas to exercise his comedy moves.  In a very expensive production with a high end cast for a short time.  Should be very good for his experience.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Panto pays very well so its not a huge shock. My worry is he isn't exactly Mr Personality so it will take him out of his comfort zone.  This is one of the most prestigious pantos in the country, along with the likes of Birmingham so in panto terms he is in one of the biggest.  Plenty of West End actors have and do panto, even big name stars.  And many (such as Mr Barrowman) enjoy doing it.

[*Beatrice*]

Titan, on 13 April 2012 - 06:57 AM, said:

&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Panto pays very well so its not a huge shock. My worry is he isn't exactly Mr Personality so it will take him out of his comfort zone.  This is one of the most prestigious pantos in the country, along with the likes of Birmingham so in panto terms he is in one of the biggest.  Plenty of West End actors have and do panto, even big name stars.  And many (such as Mr Barrowman) enjoy doing it.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;

&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;  <br /><br /><br />Barrowman likes panto but he has the very lively personality and charisma needed. Brian Conley who is doing Birmingham this year also has the charisma and personality. Lee isn't Mr Personality or Mr Charisma at all. He can stick on a pair of tights, britches or loincloth and play the cheesy, male love-interest though to get the women swooning. It's his staple role. He's done it in Joseph, Wicked and Legally Blonde. If it pays so well. He must be doing it for the money rather than the experience then. Julian Clary has plenty of personality. Clary will go for the laughs a la Barrowman.

[Azincat]

Titan, on 12 April 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

Casting for Jack and the Beanstalk, Thu 12 Apr 2012  

TRADITIONAL PANTOMIME IS BACK AT THE MAYFLOWER  

This festive season sees the return of traditional family pantomime to The Mayflower when Jack and the Beanstalk is brought magically to life by a superb cast.

One of the country's most recognisable entertainers, Julian Clary, will lead the cast in the role of Spirit of the Beans. He will be joined by one of British theatre's biggest stars, the smooth-talking TV heart-throb, Nigel Havers as Fleshcreep. Lee Mead West End star makes his pantomime debut in the title role of Jack. Making a special guest star appearance is the comedian and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, as Simple Simon, and his cheeky companion Sam.

During his career Julian Clary has turned his hand to comedy, acting, presenting, writing and he even performed as a novice dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, where he reached the final. As well as his autobiography, Julian has written two novels. Julian has appeared in numerous record-breaking family pantomimes all over the UK.

Nigel Havers is renowned for playing charming, smooth-talking characters throughout his distinguished career. He has appeared in countless television programmes including Lunch Monkeys, Little Britain, Brothers and Sisters, Sarah Jane Adventures, Dangerfield and The Charmer to name but a few. His numerous film roles include Empire of the Sun, A Passage to India and Chariots of Fire. Nigel can currently be seen reprising his role as Lewis Archer in Coronation Street.

Lee Mead came to prominence winning the BBC show, Any Dream Will Do, and took the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Lee has most recently been playing Fiyero in the London production of Wicked! and Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde the Musical. Lee's new album Lee Mead Love Songs was released in February and he has just finished The Love Tour with Louise Dearman.

With more than three million hits on YouTube and guest appearances on ITV1's Comedy Rocks and three Royal Variety Performances, Paul Zerdin has helped reinvigorate the art of ventriloquism with his humorous and edgy style. His many television appearances include ITV's Tonight at the London Palladium, Shirley Bassey's 60th Birthday Special for LWT, BBC1's The Generation Game and Late Night with Jerry Springer.

Jonathan Kiley, Executive Producer for Jack and the Beanstalk said, "We are delighted to have such a superb cast for this year's pantomime which will also feature fantastic and unmissable 3D special effects. The production has got something for everyone including an abundance of laughs, sensational musical numbers and fabulous sets and costumes. Southampton has never seen a pantomime on this scale before and I am sure the production will delight audiences of all ages."

Dennis Hall, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive said, "It is fantastic that we can bring traditional pantomime back to Southampton with the biggest panto producer in the business. We listened to our audiences who wanted a return to family pantomime, and boy are they in for a treat here."

Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world's largest pantomime producer. Featuring a larger-than-life beanstalk and one very mean giant at the top of it! The traditional elements of a family pantomime combine with visual effects, including a fantastic 3D enchanted forest and journey through the Giant's castle. This is pantomime at its best!

Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk are on sale on Friday 20 April from The Mayflower Box Office tel: 02380 711811, online at mayflower.org.uk or in person from the Mayflower ticket south shop in The Mall (Marlands), Southampton. Ovation Restaurant bookings: 02380 711833

Thanks for the heads up Titan.  Looks like a good show:)

I think Lee should have a ball doing panto and he is good with children which should help.  There was a cute moment at one of his recent concerts when he sat on the edge of the stage to chat with a young girl in the front row who was dying to tell him all about her 25 metre swimming badge!

Julian Clary and Nigel Havers should be good value as well (I may have had a teeny tiny crush on Nigel many years ago!).

[*Beatrice*]

Who is playing the part of the half-wit, idiot Jack?

[*Beatrice*]

Double post sorry.

[Carmella1]

From the children I have seen at his performances and afterwards waiting for him they seem to love him, so I don't think there will be much of a problem.  And if you have seen him in concert you realize he has tons of charisma and personality.  

Legally Blonde? I don't seem to remember any tight trousers or loincloth.  Plenty of talent though.

[*Beatrice*]

Carmella1, on 13 April 2012 - 05:00 PM, said:

&lt;br /&gt;From the children I have seen at his performances and afterwards waiting for him they seem to love him, so I don't think there will be much of a problem.  And if you have seen him in concert you realize he has tons of charisma and personality.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Legally Blonde? I don't seem to remember any tight trousers or loincloth.  Plenty of talent though.&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br /><br />At a Lee Mead concert, with the audience made up of fans, maybe. The kids will have to fight with the old women for his attentions. Panto - a kid's domain &amp; old women fans leering. Yuk. Sick. Legally Blonde - who cares?