Swansea Grand audiences can look forward to a truly giant pantomime this year, and with Scott Mills leading the all-star line-up including panto favourites Kev Johns and Matt Edwards you’d think it couldn’t get any better … OH YES IT CAN!
A1’s Mark Read will join the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk in the title role alongside, Welsh actress and Tik Tok and You Tube star Jo Osmond and musical theatre performers Celyn Cartwright and Christina Harris.
Singer and songwriter Mark Read, is best known as a member of the British-Norwegian band A1. In 1998 their debut single, Be the First to Believe, entered the UK Singles Chart at number six, followed by a string of top five hits, before hitting the number one spot with their cover of A-ha’s classic, Take on Me. A1 went on to have many international hits, achieving great success in the UK and Europe, winning countless awards, including MTV, Smash Hits and a Brit award. To date, they have released seven albums and amassed record sales of nearly 10 million worldwide. Mark has written songs for a number of artists including Michael Bolton and Boyzone. He produced and co-wrote family musical, Noah a Musical Adventure, and toured in several shows. He has also appeared in seven pantomimes.
Mark said: “It’s an absolute thrill and honour to be spending this year’s Panto season in Swansea at the beautiful Grand Theatre. My band A1 always had a great following in Wales and over the years we’ve had some of our best shows there with our amazingly enthusiastic fanbase. I can’t wait to come back and be a part of Imagine Theatre’s incredible production of Jack and the Beanstalk’.
(Image: Swansea Grand Theatre)
Jo Osmond, who hails from South Wales, has appeared in many TV and Film projects including The Mandalorian, Harry Potter, Dumbo, Doctor Who and The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016) alongside many stage shows and pantomimes. Most recently Jo has become well-known on Tik Tok and You Tube, gaining over 25 million views for her appearance as Miss Daisy Brooks alongside Dhar Mann.
Jo adds: ‘I performed my first ever pantomime on Swansea’s glorious stage 19 years ago, so to say I’m excited to return to the Grand would be a complete understatement. I can’t wait!! I know this panto will be extra special for me being so close to home and I look forward to reuniting with our Welsh audiences and making all the magic this Christmas!’
Jack & the Beanstalk, which is sponsored this year by First Cymru, will be the third consecutive pantomime that pantomime producer Imagine Theatre have presented at the Grand Theatre, following the major success of the award-winning Beauty & the Beast and Cinderella. Both pantomimes were hugely popular with audiences and achieved 5-star reviews. The ground-breaking digital sets are back this year with a brand-new version for Jack and the Beanstalk.
The theatre say that tickets are already selling fast for this epic pantomime adventure and advise people to book tickets tickets early for this ‘moo-vellous’ family friendly panto, which will leave everyone aged 4 to 104 feeling full of ‘beans’!
Tickets are on sale now at swanseagrand.co.uk.
