Prince/Beast in Eastbourne's pantomime this year

SussexWorld

Lewes Roberts is delighted to be heading to Eastbourne this Christmas as Prince/Beast for this year’s spectacular panto at the Devonshire Park Theatre.

Transcript

00:00 Good morning, my name is Phil Hewitt, Group Arts Editor for Sussex Newspapers. Fantastic

00:06 this morning to speak to Lewis Roberts, who's very excited because Lewis, you have got,

00:11 Prince Charming I should say, you have got the panto you wanted. You are going to be

00:16 in Eastbourne this year for your third panto. Why Eastbourne? You've got panto connections,

00:22 haven't you?

00:23 I do indeed. Eastbourne, so I'm a Brighton boy, so I'm just down the coast. I live in

00:28 London now. I've moved up to London since going to drama school, but I've been doing

00:32 pantomime across the country with Jordans, who do the pantomime in Eastbourne for the

00:37 last few years. And I was really hoping to have the Devonshire Park venue for my stint

00:42 this year because, well firstly, being so close to home, being so close to Brighton,

00:46 but also my brother and his fiancee live in Eastbourne. So I'll be spending it with them.

00:52 I'll get to actually spend all the time.

00:53 I got on your brother's name, you were saying he's a rugby legend.

00:57 Yes, rugby legend, coach at Eastbourne College, Jack Roberts.

01:00 And his fiancee, who also works there.

01:03 Lara Garrett, head of English, power couple at the college. So I'll be spending it with

01:10 them, which is lovely.

01:11 And they are putting you up. They're offering a stable over Christmas, are they?

01:15 Yes, they'll be looking after me. I'm hoping for lots of cooked meals. If you're seeing

01:22 this now, lots of cooked meals.

01:25 That was a hinge, wasn't it? Now, you are, let's stress this, you are Prince Charming.

01:31 Now, does that role come with a degree of pressure? You've got a lot to live up to there.

01:35 Well, I don't take that the wrong way, but you've got to be Prince Charming, haven't

01:39 you?

01:40 Well, I suppose more specifically in Beauty and the Beast is Prince Galant in Beauty and

01:45 the Beast, with being our version, which is a great role because you get to do three parts

01:51 really, because it's a bit of a journey. I mean, pantomime usually, you know, with the

01:55 princes, they arrive on stage on that first scene and they have their objective, which

02:01 is go get the princess, save the day. And it's pretty straightforward. Whereas what's

02:06 lovely about this show is the prince does have a journey. He starts as a bit of a flouncy

02:12 toff turning up into town. Then, I don't want to spoil this for anyone, there's a beast

02:17 who arrives, who may or may not be the prince. And then at the end of the show, perhaps there's

02:25 retribution. Who can say, you're going to have to book to see it.

02:28 Redemption, isn't it?

02:29 Exactly. Exactly. So it's a great role. It's a fantastic part because it's loads of fun,

02:35 like the rest of the show. It's loads of fun and it moves very quick. And there's some

02:39 great tunes along the way as well.

02:40 So it sounds like it's got it all. It's the role you want, it's close to Brighton.

02:45 Yeah. And the most, I mean, the most beautiful theatre I've ever performed in Devonshire

02:51 Park is absolutely gorgeous. An old match and theatre. So, you know, if you feel for

02:56 those that know it, know exactly what I'm talking about and those who haven't been there,

03:02 I mean, it's a delight. It's an old match and theatre. So you're still very close to

03:06 the audience whilst being very grand at the same time. And it's just the perfect home

03:12 for the show over Christmas.

03:13 Brilliant. Well, have a lovely time this Christmas.

03:17 Thank you very much.

03:18 And yeah, happy Christmas. Thank you.

03:19 And to you too. Cheers Phil.

03:22 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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