Cast announced for Beauty and the Beast at Eastwood Park Theatre

Eastwood Park Theatre has announced the cast line up for its biggest panto to date, Beauty and the Beast, brought by Spillers Pantomimes!

Article Source: East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure
Last Updated: 9 October 2023 15:45

The cast will take to the stage for over sixty shows as part of the theatre's 50th anniversary year, from 24 November to 31 December 2023.

Glasgow actress Chiara Sparkes, who trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and The Dance School of Scotland, will take the lead role of Belle. Chiara is also set to star in sell-out show Tally's Blood, which comes to Eastwood Park Theatre this month. Titus Rowe, who has a string of TV, theatre and panto credits to his name, will play Bouffant Du Quiff, the cast's equivalent of Gaston. Titus is returning to Spillers Pantomimes for an eighth season to make his Eastwood Park Theatre debut.

Scottish actor Matthew is excited to return to his roots to take on the role of Beast/Prince. Matthew trained at Arts Educational School in London and has appeared in numerous theatre shows in and out of London's West End, including We Will Rock You, Phantom of the Opera, Carousel, Falsettos, Sunset Boulevard, Kiss me Kate, Joseph, Titanic and Legally Blonde.

Glasgow actor Aidan MacColl is set to light up the stage with his role as Lumiere. Aidan, who trained at The Dance School of Scotland before moving to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, is an experienced panto performer and played Buttons in Cinderella last year at Motherwell Theatre.

Jamie Lemmetti returns to Eastwood Park Theatre for a second year, following his role as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz last year, and will take on the role of Belle's father, Maurice. Jamie has been part of various successful comedies at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with further theatre work including Renfield in Dracula and Cheswick in One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nest, as well as working on BBC Comedy the Outlaws and ITV's McDonald and Dodds.

Jessica Donnelly will wave her magic wand as the Fairy and Le Fou in Beauty and the Beast. Since graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2020, Jessica has worked as a professional performer, musical director, and as a vocal coach and musical theatre teacher.

April King, who has previously performed as a backing dancer for Fleur East and worked in Qatar in Smurfs The Musical, will return to Eastwood Park Theatre for a second year. April will be joined on stage by fellow professional dancers Paige Brooker, Shannon Kasey Jones and Stephanie Michelle Smyth.

The cast will be supported by 12 talented junior dance performers who impressed panto bosses at recent auditions, hosted at the theatre.

Anthony McReavy from East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure added: “We're excited to announce the cast for Beauty and the Beast and can't wait to bring the show to Eastwood Park Theatre this festive season.

“Thousands came to sell-out shows last year and we're planning an even bigger panto production this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations. Panto season is fast approaching and tickets are selling faster than ever so book your tickets now!”

British Sign Language performance is available on 10 December and relaxed performances will run on Saturday 2 December and Thursday 7 December.

Tickets are on sale now priced from £13 with family tickets available from £55:
www.ercultureandleisure.org or call Eastwood Park Theatre box office on 0141 577 4956.

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