Theatre Royal Winchester launched its Christmas pantomime 2008, Beauty and the Beast, at an event that welcomed the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Michael Read and guests from Winchester's business, arts and tourism - not to mention Carswell Gould team members Lisa Blandford and Ed Gould. With a reputation for traditional family panto now firmly established, the production team has extended its sights to include special effects, stunning sets and clever choreography in this year's show, which is sponsored by Hillier Garden Centres.
In a new and exciting initiative the theatre has consulted with a professional illusionist and member of the Magic Circle to incorporate a number of special magic effects to enhance the show. The nature of the effects will remain under wraps until opening night on 10 December. Part of the challenge for the design team has been the technical demands of transforming the prince into the beast before the audience's eyes and within the space of a few seconds. In addition this year's show will also feature an extended child cast from the local community. Three casts of ten children aged from 8 to 16 will take to the stage, choreographed by Winchester dance school director, Sally Stanyard.
Writer and director James Barry, now directing his fourth Christmas panto in Winchester, enthused, "Beauty and the Beast is my favourite fairytale and it translates beautifully into a classic panto. It has at its heart a romantic story where love prevails and the true nature of beauty is revealed. It is a perfect panto story with all the essential ingredients - a beautiful maiden, an ugly sister, an evil witch and a terrifying beast. It will be full of jokes, song and audience participation, plus lots of opportunities to hiss and boo. This year's cast is extremely talented and I have no hesitation in saying that they will present our best show yet." Chief executive, Fiona Burn, added, "Beauty and the Beast promises to be the of the most entertaining and visually enchanting productions so far. James Barry has written a fantastic script using a great story with an underlying message to warm even the hardest of hearts. The theatre has been presented with a number of technical and acting challenges to effect the transformation of the prince to beast. If you want to know how we did it, you'll just have to come and see the show."
The theatre commissioned renowned children's illustrator Sarah Warburton (Spiderwick Chronicles) to create the poster designs for the pantomime. "Sarah's distinctive, spiky style is perfect for the exaggerated characters of the beast and Maldemort, the evil fairy. We were thrilled that Sarah accepted our commission for panto illustrations. She has perfectly captured the gothic-style fantasy world of Beauty and the Beast," said Kate Raines, Communications Manager at Theatre Royal Winchester.
Beauty and the Beast is playing at Theatre Royal Winchester from Wednesday 10 December to Sunday 4 January, matinees at 10.15am and 1.15pm or 2pm (selected days), evenings at 7.00pm (selected days). Tickets cost from £10.00-£17.00 (children £8.00-£15.00), family tickets, schools and group discounts available. For further information on times of performances or to book tickets, please call the Box Office on 01962 840440 or visit www.theatre-royal-winchester.co.uk Please note that card bookings are subject to a transaction fee. For press information/images please call Kate Raines, Communications Manager on 01962 844600 or email comms@theatre-royal-winchester.co.uk
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