ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
OH YES IT IS ...
DOUBLE THE CHRISTMAS FUN AT THE
MARLOWE THEATRE !
The Marlowe Theatre is thrilled to present two special Christmas offerings this December , with casting announced for 2024 pantomime Beauty and the Beast and the original production of new family musical My Pet Star in their Marlowe Studio space .
EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star , Maisie Smith , will be making her pantomime debut in Beauty and the Beast . Joining Maisie in this magical show will be CBeebies ’ Mister Maker Phil Gallagher – back for his sixth year – and the iconic Ben Roddy , who is returning for his 16th year in The Marlowe Theatre pantomime .
“ It ’ s so exciting to be making my pantomime debut at The Marlowe Theatre ; it ’ s got such a fantastic reputation across the country !” Maisie said . “ The cast are all such lovely people and audiences are going to adore each and every one of them . I can ’ t wait to spend Christmas in Canterbury – it ’ s such a magical place and the audiences here are the best !”
Adding their superb talent to the cast are Richard David-Caine ( CBBC ’ s Horrible Histories and Class Dismissed ), Tyler Collins
( CBeebies ’ Swashbuckle ), Jocasta Almgill ( Dreamgirls , & Juliet ) and Joseph Hewlett ( Madagascar The Musical ).
Once again , Beauty and the Beast will be written and directed by Paul Hendy and produced by The Marlowe Theatre and Evolution Productions , the same team behind the five-star box office smash-hit Aladdin , which was the biggest winner at this year ’ s UK Pantomime Awards .
Opening in Canterbury on Friday 22 November and running until Sunday 12 January , the high demand for tickets has already seen the show extended by eight performances .
In their Studio space , The Marlowe Theatre will be producing a new family musical , My Pet Star . Based on the 2019 Sainsbury ’ s Children ’ s Book of the Year by BAFTA-winning writer Corrinne Averiss and award-winning illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw , My Pet Star is the Marlowe ’ s first original show for children . A tender story of friendship , kindness and caring for others , My Pet Star will be adapted for stage and directed by Lily Dyble , with music by Zara Nunn , designs by Caitlin Abbott and movement direction by George Frampton .
This exciting musical production will be designed for a young family audience to enjoy in The Marlowe ’ s more intimate Studio space and will feature original songs that will charm little ones aged three and up . Performances will run from Saturday 7 December 2024 to Saturday 4 January 2025 .
Senior producer at The Marlowe , Millie Brierley , said : “ I fell in love with the world and characters of My Pet Star as soon as I read it , and it ’ s a privilege to bring Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw ’ s wonderful story to a theatre audience – the production will be just as charming as the book , only now with songs . Theatre is crucial to a child ’ s well-rounded learning and development , so it is a joy to be taking this important step in our producing journey with The Marlowe ’ s first original show for children .”
Beauty and the Beast is proudly sponsored by Southeastern and Walker Construction . Tickets for both Beauty and the Beast and My Pet Star can be booked at marlowetheatre . com or via the box office on 01227 787787 .
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