Aladdin - Porthcawl

http://www.grandpavilion.co.uk/

This page will be updated with news, photos and insider gossip during the build up to, and during the 2008/9 pantomime season. Check back for updates!

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4th January 2009 - The panto is now closed

After 37 performances, Aladdin closed at about 8:30pm this evening.

It's been a fantastic show, and we've had alot of fun. Thanks so much to the cast and crew, but mostly to the team from the Grand Pavilion. Thank you for making us so welcome in our first year!

We're really looking forward to being back in December 2009 with Beauty and the Beast!

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3rd January 2009 - End of show party!

All the cast and crew got together at the Atlantic Hotel, Porthcawl, after the 6pm show on Friday 2nd January for an end of show party thrown by the theatre - thanks for a great party!

Robyn & Jamie-Lee get ready! Suzie (ASM), Lucy (choreog), Jess, Matt (MD) and Tony

Chris C and Jamie-Lee Tony & Sasha (CM and DSM)

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2nd January 2009 - A trip backstage

The cast have been snapping away back stage and out and about. Here's some of what the Aladdin cast and crew have been up to in production week, and during the run!

The fit up Company manager Sasha Tony gunges director Steve!

Chris C, Tony, Robyn, Jess & Vern Matt (MD), Vern, Jess, Lucy (Choreog) & Robyn

Prod Mgr Ian, Dan (Keys), Lucy (Choreographer) & Matt (MD)

Vern, Suzie (ASM), Robyn, Chris M & Jess Jamie-Lee & Robyn Chris M

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17th December 2008 - The First Crit is out

Here's what the Stage thought of the panto -

http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/22873/

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14th December 2008 - The production photos are here

Widow Twankey (Tony) & Wishee (Chris) Aladdin (Jamie Lee) & Princess (Robyn)

Widow Twankey in the Laundry So Shi (Jessica)

Genie (Vern) Wishee, Widow Twankey & So Shi encounter a ghost!

Abanaza (Chris) Spirit of the Ring (Jen)

Ping & Pong (Vern & Jessica) Princess (Robyn) & So Shi (Jessica)

Princess (Robyn) & Abanaza (Chris) Aladdin (Jamie Lee)

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13th December 2008 - Getting their own back!

Every WISH panto features a VERY messy slapstick routine, and the Grand Pavilion's panto is no exception. And during technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals, the cast have a chance to 'get their own back' on the WISH team and venue staff!! For the technical rehearsals, it was Steve Boden, the panto director and WISH General Manager, who got 'sloshed' - we know some photos exist of this and we're just waiting for them to be emailed through!

For the dress rehearsals it was firstly Sarah from WISH who got 'sloshed' and then on final dress, it was acting Venue Manager Mark Philips turn!!

Sarah gets sloshed

Then it's Marks turn!!

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13th December 2008 - The panto is open!

Following 2 very busy weeks of rehearsal, the panto opened at 1pm this afternoon to packed houses, and the run is selling at an amazing rate! We are so excited. Thanks so much to the cast, crew and venue staff for a great rehearsal period and heres to a great run.

Our friend Adam was on hand to take some production photos and we'll upload those very soon. In the mean time, Sarah from WISH was at the venue taking some insider shots of the auditorium. We've never seen the Grand Pavilion look so amazing - take a look!

The Auditorium

Close ups of the stage & false pros

Director Steve (in black on left) and Production Manager Ian (in black on right) have a chat with the cast on stage

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1st December 2008 - First rehearsal today!

So, at last, we're into rehearsals in Porthcawl!

Director Steve Boden, Choreographer Lucy Holloway, Musical Director Matthew Loughran and all of the cast and crew met this morning at the Grand Pavilion. Then after the meet and greet, they headed over to the Seabank Hotel where rehearsals are taking place. A read through of the script took place, followed by commencing the blocking for the show.

Unfortunately our production manager Richard has taken poorly and had to drop out of the panto. He's replaced by Ian Plimbley who is WISH's technical and stores manager, so the show is in really capable hands with Ian!

Steve says that if the amounts of laughter during the read through are anything to go by, then it's going to be a cracking show. We just await the rehearsal photos pls chaps!!

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30th November 2008 - Rehearsals start tomorrow

So, here we go! Rehearsals with the main cast start tomorrow. The first babes rehearsal took place yesterday, and all the cast meet at the Grand Pavilion at 10am tomorrow morning. We can't wait to get cracking!

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7th November 2008 - Panto Production Meeting

There are lots of biscuits being eaten at WISH today. They claim it's brain food for a production meeting to plan Aladdin at the Grand Pavilion!

Steve Boden (Director), Richard Curran (Production Manager) and Simon Butcher (Lighting Designer) are meeting today and are plotting and scheming for the panto... and eating lots of biscuits!

Simon and Richard The meeting gets started and the biscuits are out in force!

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5th November 2008 - All quiet on the panto front?...

... hmm, we think not!

Sales for Aladdin at the Grand Pavilion are reaching levels never previously seen this far out from the opening of the run, and the theatre are continuing to see demand grow day on day.

Director Steve Boden and Choreographer Lucy Holloway have met up and spent a day plotting and scheming what madcap and hairbrained ideas they have to make this the most spectacular, dazzling and fun filled pantomime ever seen at the Grand Pavilion.

Don't beleive us? Well, just you come along and see for yourselves! As we said, tickets are selling at an unbelieveable rate. Make sure you don't miss out on picking up your own tickest for the hottest show in town!

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15th September, 2008 - Fancy a snippet of music?

Here's a snippet of Aladdin from our Kilmarnock 2006 production!

Music

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15th September, 2008 - Phoney Tony catches out the Grand Pavilion Box Office!

Tony Wright, who is playing Dame at this years panto, really caught out the box office team at the Grand Pavilion last week! He phoned up, pretending to be Danny La Rue, and asked if he could have a part in the panto. Georgia, one of the box office team, answered the phone and we think she did brilliantly!

Please be aware, this file is nearly 3MB in size so may take some time to download

BIG Thanks to Real Radio and Tony Wright for letting us upload this onto our website. But most of all, thanks to Georgia for being such a fab sport and agreeing to let us upload it too!

link in here

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13th September, 2008 - Some snaps of the principals

We were absolutely delighted when some of the principal cast came to the babes auditions! We took some quick snaps. Click on the thumbnails for larger images

Chris Corcoran Robyn Lee & Jen Wallen Jen, Robyn & Vern Griffiths

Suzi (ASM), Vern, Robyn & Steve Boden (Director)

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13th September, 2008 - The panto babes are cast!

All the babes at the start The 55 recalled in the afternoon for round 2

Thanks to the 141 babes who registered to audition for a part in Aladdin!

All auditionees performed in front of Steve Boden (Director), Alli Coyne (Auditions Choreographer) & Sarah Boden (WISH Theatre Ltd). Several of the principal cast were also present - Robyn Lee, Jen Wallen, Vern Griffiths & Chris Corcoran.

We were absolutely delighed with the standard, and are pleased to announce that this year, there will be 2 teams of 12 babes performing, as well as 5 'reserves'.

Well done to all who were successful - we can't wait to work with you!!

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14th August, 2008 - The panto is cast! Here's who will be appearing in panto in Porthcawl this year

• Chris Corcoran (CBeebies) as Wishee Washee
• Tony Wright (Real Radio) as Widow Twankey
• Chris Morgan as Abanaza
• Vern Griffiths as the Genie
• Jamie Lee Mason as Aladdin
• Jessica Sandry as So-Shi
• Robyn Lee as Princess Baldroubador
• Jennifer Wallen as Spirit of the Ring

Chris Corcoran Jessica Sandry Robyn Lee Tony Wright

Vern Griffiths Chris Morgan Jamie Lee Mason Jennifer Wallen

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8th August 2008 - The panto flyer is out

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10th April 2008 - Chris and Tony meet up for the press shoot for Aladdin at the Grand Pavilion

Starring Tony Wright as Widow Twankey and Chris Corcoran as Wishee Washee