Swansea panto favourite Kev Johns to return as Grand Theatre announces Beauty and the Beast cast

Swansea Grand and Pantomime producers, Imagine Theatre, have announced the first casting for their 2022/2023 panto season – with favourites Kevin Johns and Matt Edwards set to return in the cast of Beauty and the Beast from 14 December 2022 to 15 January 2023.

Panto fans will be delighted to hear that Kevin Johns MBE will be playing the role of Nanna Penny and this year will mark his 30th year in panto and his 24th at the Grand.

Kev’s stage career has been varied including drama, comedy, musicals and of course pantomime.

He has recently returned from Snowdonia in North Wales after filming an episode of the very popular US TV show Documentary Now which is also to be seen on Amazon TV here in the UK.

Kev said he was delighted to return to Swansea Grand theatre for this year’s Imagine Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast

He said: “I am so excited to be returning to the fantastic Swansea Grand for panto this year. The Grand is such a wonderful theatre with a great staff and the best audiences in Panto land. Beauty and the Beast is a great panto with something for all the family and a new panto for me!

“I’m so looking forward to working with Matt Edwards who is one of the funniest people I know. Matt is a wonderful entertainer and a great friend. See you all in panto at the Swansea Grand!”

With further star casting to be announced, Kevin will be joined on stage by Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Matt Edwards, in the role of Cyril

Matt said: “Hello Meow. It’s Me, Matt Edwards. I’m so super excited to be coming back to Swansea, for what promises to be the most spectacular pantomime the Swansea Grand has ever seen. Come and join us for some Christmas magic.”

Beauty and the Beast will be the first partnership between Imagine Pantomimes and the Swansea Grand Theatre and this year’s pantomime is set to be pretty spectacular with a brand-new production using LED screens and animation.

Swansea Grand Theatre Manager, Grant McFarlane said, “We couldn’t be more delighted to welcome our panto favourite Kev back to the Grand along with Matt Edwards. Our annual pantomime is a huge family tradition for our audiences, and we hope to see you all there for this, our first with Imagine who will be bringing our most exciting pantomime to date as it will be our first using LED screens with animated scenes.

“It’s really ground-breaking whilst keeping all of the traditional elements that our audiences have come to love”

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?

Beauty and the Beast will be sure to make you laugh, cry and fall in love with a host of hilarious and hairy characters; so book your tickets now and discover if Beauty can see beyond appearances and learn to love a beast!

Tickets are on sale now at swanseagrand.co.uk or visit imaginetheatre.co.uk