BOSSES at the Beacon Arts Centre have told of their pride after the venue’s record-breaking pantomime was nominated for a top UK award.
The Greenock theatre’s 2023 production of Beauty and the Beast is among five nominees in the Best Ensemble category at the 2024 UK Pantomime Association's Pantomime Awards.
Actors Natalie Tedesco, Alistair Fitton-Weir, Alison Hunter and Sean Van Oostrum have been shortlisted for their parts in the show.
The show, which starred Still Game favourites Jane McCarry and Mark Cox alongside River City’s Jimmy Chisholm, welcomed more than 17,500 audience members to its 2023 run, the highest ever number of tickets sold.
Families packed into the venue across 39 performances to join in the fun and see the fairytale brought to life by actors Shannon Swann, Lee Samuel and Sam Willison.
The 2023 run also made headlines around the UK when actor Lee Samuel accepted a proposal live on stage from his partner Lee Johnston.
The show, which was declared the “best panto in Scotland” by theatre critic Liam Rudden, was produced in house by the Beacon, written by Alan McHugh and directed by Beth Morton.
Karen Townsend, co-director of Beacon Arts Centre said: “We are proud that the hard work and dedication of our team here at the Beacon in Greenock has led to our show being recognised as among the best in the country.
"Everyone at the Beacon is delighted for our talented ensemble for their nomination at the UK Pantomime Association Awards.
“The ensemble actors play a critical role in Pantomime and they certainly brought the magical world of Auchterdreich to life every night with a sparkling performance that is truly worthy of recognition.
“The whole cast pulled out all the stops to pack our theatre with magic and laughter and it was wonderful to see faces light up with the joy of theatre.
“We are hard at work on next year’s show and we can’t wait to share it with audiences.”
The UK Pantomime Association is a charity set up to celebrate pantomime. The annual awards recognise excellence across 19 categories. Last year’s winners included Sir Ian McKellen, Su Pollard and Vernon Kay.
The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony in June in Guildford.
The Beacon’s panto will return in December with a brand-new production of Jack and the Beanstalk, promising fun for all the family.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/jack-and-the-beanstalk.
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