As Venue Cymru invite you all for a most ‘Beauty – full’ – family pantomime this year with Beauty and the Beast from 10 – 31 December we caught up with Jason Marc-Williams who will playing Nanna Nina, John Evans who plays Simon Le Bon Bon and James Lusted who will play Bob to find out a little bit more about them and what we can expect this pantomime season,
Starting with you Jason – tell me a little bit about what you hope to bring to the stage?
Jason: I like to keep some secrets but what I can guarantee is super high energy. It will be very different for the Llandudno audiences who last year saw me play a baddie, a new experience for me. This year I’m back to my roots playing Dame which I absolutely love so expect a lot of fun lots of physical comedy.
John: Jason is a hugely physical comedian and the kids absolutely love it. If it looks like they are going to get hurt the kids are like ‘yeah go on!’
Jason: Controlled violence of course and nothing real!
It sounds like the Llandudno audiences know exactly what to expect once we get you three on stage?
Jason: Yes, John especially because this is his 400th year isn’t it John?
James: Cheeky!
John: Actually I think it’s my 450th! [it’s John’s 12th panto at Llandudno].
Jason. I’m so excited about the three of us working together again after last year, but in very different roles. It’s going to be so much fun
Clearly, you all love panto. What is it that keeps you coming back year after year?
John: We live in a world where kids can touch the other side of the world through a screen. But with a bit of painted scenery, props and some glitter they can be taken away to a world they’ve never seen before. It’s also often their first experience of theatre so it’s a thrill to be part of that.
James: It’s so magical seeing the children’s faces and when you step out and hear them all screaming their heads off and just going for it it’s amazing! I know that’s why I do what I do, and I think it’s the same for the three of us.
What do enjoy about performing at Venue Cymru?
Jason: The audiences! They are absolutely fantastic.
John: I’d actually say feisty! They’re up for it in a really great way.
James: I’m not sure I can answer that as I’m local so may be biased… but they’re the best! In fact in my youth, I used to go and see John on stage in pantomime…
John: Yeah thanks for that. Are you from Rhyl?
James: I wasn’t brought up there but I live there now…
John: Amazing… Give me six! [all Laugh] I’m joking of course. I love Rhyl! I don’t remember James coming to see me because I was only nine – one of the juvenile ensemble, wink wink!
I actually love it when schools are in. 1500 kids excited and raring to go. A week before Christmas they are already wired up so it’s a great energy to work with – The noise is phenomenal.
James: I just love being in the local theatre to me, we get so much energy back from the audiences and that’s the beauty of it (pardon the pun!)
James, so you visited panto as a kid so aside form seeing John perform do you have any favourite memories?
James: Oh just too many to pick one. I always used to go with my family to the 5 o’clock show on Christmas Eve. And one year I said to my mum and dad ‘one day I’m going to do that’ and lo and behold this will now be my fifteenth panto.
What is it that you love about working together?
John: Going home? Ha ha! I think it was an instant click when we worked together last year. We have the same sense of humour; we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We have a real laugh together.
James: We really do have fun, and we’re also really supportive of each other and our ideas. It’s great.
Jason: I think when the people on stage click, the audience really feels it too and they become part of your gang. I actually get really emotional thinking about it – it’s a real joy.
John you have two Welsh co-stars here and many more in the panto are you local?
John: Well actually I live on the Wirral – But to be fair North Wales is full of Scousers it’s where we come on holiday… it’s our Miami! When I retire I plan on spending time playing a lot of golf here!
James: So quite soon we’ll be seeing a lot more of you then? [all laugh].
Are any of you superstitious or do you have any strange pre-show routines?
Jason: Last year I developed a strange habit of having to hit certain markers at certain points backstage or I thought things were going to go wrong!
John: Yeah and James had a really strange routine too… he used to forget all his lines didn’t you?
James: Ha Ha! You love me really!
John: well, my routines have never changed I have 8 pints of Guinness and four sausage rolls and I’m off!
Is there anything you would like for Christmas this year?
John: Love and peace for the whole world.
James: Arggh you stole the best answer! To be honest just to put a smile on people’s faces this Christmas
Jason: And to create some great memories for both ourselves and our audiences
What do you love about the story of Beauty and the Beast
Jason: It’s just such an amazing story!
John: yes, It’s the perfect panto. Also kids go away thinking it’s a good idea not to judge people by the way they look which is a really important message particularly nowadays. I mean when I first saw James, I thought ‘nah, I don’t like him’ but he’s actually alright you know!
What can audiences expect on stage this year?
James: A lot of fun and enthusiasm
Jason: High energy, high impact, classy, enthusiastic, humorous entertainment
John. I just want everyone to leave the theatre feeling happy having enjoyed the ride! They will just have a fantastic time… Otherwise I’ll be kept in the theatre until they do!
When an arrogant Prince is cursed to live as a beast his only hope of salvation is to find love before the last petal falls from a magic rose. When pretty village girl, Beauty comes into his life is this the chance he has been waiting for?
Don’t miss your chance for the best seats in the house visit book your tickets today. www.venuecymru.co.uk
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
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