Skip to player
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Search
Connect
Watch fullscreen
Like
Comments
Bookmark
Share
Add to Playlist
Report
The Express & Star chat to panto stars as they get set for the production of Beauty and the Beast at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
Express & Star
Follow
10/10/2024
The Express & Star chat to panto stars including TV star Giant from Gladiators as they get set for the production of Beauty and the Beast at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
Category
🗞
News
Transcript
Display full video transcript
00:00
Hello, I'm James McMirovich and this gentleman next to me, he's a gladiator, but he's also
00:04
appearing in Panto at Wolverhampton. This is Giant. Giant, how are you doing?
00:08
Hello, I'm very well, thank you. How are you?
00:09
Not too bad, thank you. Tell me about appearing in Panto. How did the opportunity arise?
00:13
I was approached after obviously the show Gladiators was so successful and I believe
00:19
I'm the first gladiator to be in Panto or have been assigned to a Panto company in Wolverhampton.
00:27
I think we have a super fan who works at the Wolves Grand called Vicky and she was adamant
00:32
that she needed a gladiator and obviously I was her first choice.
00:35
So what did you think when you were approached? Did you think, cool, something to do? What
00:39
were your thoughts about it? I feel as though I've suppressed my theatrical
00:45
nature all of my life. So I've come to 39 years old and now I get to express what I've
00:51
wanted to do for years, which is a bit more drama.
00:54
You're suddenly sticking on a leotard and you think to yourself, okay, now I can actually
00:57
be a bit more theatrical. So playing a bad guy in Panto is just a natural progression,
01:01
isn't it? Definitely, exactly that. And I think playing
01:05
a bad guy instead of the good person I generally play in life and on the gladiators is going
01:09
to be a nice twist. Tell us about your character.
01:13
So the character is called Gladius. Gladius is somewhat an evil entity that, no spoilers
01:21
here, but I might cast a spell on the prince that then obviously becomes a beast and he's
01:28
got to prove his worth to get that spell gone. Have you had much experience of, I mean obviously
01:35
doing gladiators, but much experience of performing before that?
01:38
Well, my acting experience consists of Instagram, videos and YouTube, which I think is a level
01:46
of acting. And then obviously the show gladiators is televised on TV, which is a natural progression
01:53
to that. This is going to be something completely different because people are going to stare
01:57
at me and I've got lines and I'm just looking forward to having fun, I think.
02:01
How have you found the process so far? Yeah, great. And the cast that's obviously
02:05
been put forward for Beauty and the Beast, they're all fantastic people, professionals
02:09
and experts in their own right. I think they're going to make my job very easy.
02:13
You've obviously had the chance to see the Grand Theatre, what do you think of the place?
02:16
Beautiful. You can't really ask for much more in terms of the history that's in there. It's
02:23
a traditional theatre, horseshoe shape, you can just feel the atmosphere and I imagine
02:28
that fall is going to be like another level. They haven't felt the need to put a dual platform
02:33
or anything have they? I don't think so.
02:35
They're kind of missing a trick really, aren't they?
02:36
They might try and work it in somewhere. Well, good luck with it, enjoy it and enjoy
02:41
Wolverhampton as well. Lovely, thank you very much.
02:43
My pleasure. This is Tam Ryan, he is a veteran of Panto,
02:47
particularly life at the Grand Theatre. How many years is it at the Grand Theatre now?
02:50
This is the fourth that's starting now, yeah. So yeah, does that qualify as a veteran now?
02:58
Particularly within that venue, I could get a government payout.
03:00
That sounds alright. What is it about the Grand Theatre that brings you back every year?
03:05
Do you know what? It would be an easy thing to say. I'll be very genuine, I think it is
03:13
potentially my favourite venue that I've ever worked in and I'm not the measure of
03:18
all great venues, don't get me wrong, but yeah, it's just a wonderful set up there.
03:22
I say each and every year to the point where I'm probably boring people about it, but it's
03:26
just very rare, it's a rare commodity where you get everyone pulling in the same direction
03:32
and I think that is credit to the way the place is run. You're made to feel incredibly
03:38
supported, appreciated and you don't always get that in entertainment and in showbiz and I think
03:46
yeah, it's just a joy, it genuinely is a joy to perform there. It's a grand setting as well,
03:51
isn't it? It's a beautiful theatre. Obviously, you need the numbers in as well and I think
03:56
testament to the fact that it's such a good place to watch live performance is that it is
04:01
well supported and people come from Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas and beyond the catchment,
04:06
that's kind of what we get. So, yeah, it's a joyous place to work, it genuinely is, yeah.
04:13
Tell me about your character within Beauty and the Beast, who are you playing?
04:15
Yeah, well, it's a traditional telling of the story, but essentially Beauty and the
04:22
Beast is a play that has become a pantomime, so we wanted to, whilst being true to the familiar
04:30
story that obviously the audience would recall, we needed to switch it up a little bit and put
04:36
our interpretation on it, so essentially I am playing Belle's brother, who didn't really exist
04:42
in the traditional tale, but guess what, he does now. The whole thing's like a variation on the
04:47
original theme. It is, yeah, because obviously Ian and I have developed a good sort of partnership,
04:56
I think, here over the last three or four years. A rapport would be a better way to say it. So,
05:01
rather than Belle's father, we've got Belle's mother and where I fit in is I'm Belle's brother,
05:08
so it's a family really, which serves us in a few ways in terms of the storyline and the
05:14
plot and the narrative. And when you look at the cast, you realise you're in the same cast as a
05:18
gladiator. Yes, absolutely. I think, and I might be on a limb here, I don't think I'm going to have
05:23
the best body this year. Fair enough. Yeah, it's disappointing, but in fairness, last year we were
05:30
without a gladiator and I still didn't have the best body in this show. You're being modest about
05:35
it, that's the most important thing. Yeah, I'm fine with it. I'm absolutely fine with it. No,
05:39
do you know, Jamie, I only met him for the first time yesterday. What a lovely guy. Genuinely,
05:44
and he's switched on as well. Really bright, intelligent guy, personable, got time for people.
05:50
I think he's going to be a great casting. And just in general, how much are you looking forward
05:54
to the run that you're about to have at the Grand Theatre? Oh, massively. We had so much fun. I mean,
05:58
I've had fun every year, but last year for me was a real standout year. We wrote the book last year,
06:03
Ian and I, and we had such fun doing that. I mean, that brought its own pressure because if we didn't
06:07
execute it right, that would have been our fault, right? So, you know, it's just a great... I feel
06:13
generally very humbled and privileged to be afforded the fact that we can write the material,
06:19
hopefully serve everyone's character and everyone in it, and then perform it as well. It's just,
06:24
that is, you know, gold dust in performance. Well, enjoy the run and enjoy being back in
06:28
Wolverhampton. Can't wait. I appreciate it. I'm here with Liv and JJ, two of the big stars of
06:32
the Panto Beauty and the Beast. Hello! How are you finding your day out in Dudley? Oh, it's lovely.
06:38
We're having a great time. It's lovely in Dudley. Yeah, the sun's out now, so we're getting warmer,
06:42
which is fantastic. It's like a precursor to obviously being inside a hot theatre every
06:47
night for a month. How did you end up in Beauty and the Beast? Well, my agent put me up for it,
06:54
auditioned. We've actually got a funny story. Yeah, we do actually. Go on, tell it. So my
07:02
agent also put me up for this pantomime, and I was actually in for Belle. And I was in for Fairy.
07:09
And then... They swapped. I'm now playing the Fairy in the pantomime. Serendipity, basically. Yeah,
07:16
it's meant to be. We're meant to be together. I believe it. Do you look at the roles and think,
07:20
okay, these are perfect roles for me? Yeah, actually. I really do. Yeah, usually what we
07:26
put up for, I'm like, yep, thank you. That sounds good. Fitting into your personalities and obviously
07:31
the way you would then... I'm guessing you put your own inflections into the character as well.
07:34
Yeah, definitely. Yeah, I feel like both our characters are a little feisty as well,
07:38
which I do feel sits in us. Definitely. A little feisty, but also good spirits and...
07:44
Kind. Kind. Have you appeared at the Grand Theatre before? Yes. So I was there two years
07:49
ago with Waitress, the musical, and yeah, beautiful theatre. Have you been there before? I have, yeah.
07:54
I was there this year with Madagascar, the UK tour. So I don't need to ask you what you think
07:58
of the place, but tell me what you think of the place. I absolutely love it. You don't forget it.
08:03
It's gorgeous. It's beautiful. It's such a... From both perspectives, as a performer, to be on the
08:08
stage, but also watching as an audience, we luckily got from the company a ticket to watch
08:13
Anne Juliet the other day. So also watching the show in that theatre was just incredible also. So
08:18
I think from both angles, it's a delight. And you've been cast as the characters. You've had
08:22
a chance to read the scripts and everything. What do you think of the adaption of Beauty
08:26
and the Beast? Oh, I think it's great. Yeah, I love it. I think it's fantastic. I think the
08:29
writing is incredible. All the characters that have been put in as well. Yeah. Just,
08:33
they're brilliant and they add to the story, I think. Yeah, I think it's going to be such a hit
08:37
this year. That and being on the same bill as a gladiator as well. Yeah, yeah. What was your
08:43
first reaction when you found out that was happening? Jesus. I was like, so giant. Okay,
08:49
cool. Is it going to be Gaston? Yeah. I wasn't sure of the role, but then once I read the script,
08:55
I was like, oh my God, amazing. That was it. When I was talking to the Grand Theatre about it,
09:00
they said, are you playing Gaston? I said, I'm playing a different character. I thought,
09:03
all right. I think it obviously seems to work for what, because it's not the traditional telling
09:07
of Beauty and the Beast, it's an adaption of it. Right. Yeah. And I think that's what's good
09:10
about it. It brings that new flavour and something different for a panto. And also,
09:14
Jamie, who is the giant, is amazing. He's such a lovely person. You're thankful about the fact
09:19
you're not going to be playing Jor with him. No, no. He'd not lick us and we'd go. Jamie,
09:26
what can people expect from the play for those who've maybe not been to see a panto at the
09:29
Grand before? You can expect a spectacle. I think what's amazing about Wolverhampton's
09:36
productions is they really put time and effort and energy to make it a really amazing pantomime
09:41
and something to leave you with that you're literally like, oh my gosh, I can't wait to
09:44
come back for more. So yeah, you're just going to be blown away, I think. Brilliant. Well,
09:50
ladies, perhaps enjoy Wolverhampton and good luck with it. Thank you so much.
Recommended
0:45
|
Up next
Beauty and the Beast at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre - pantomime time!
BirminghamWorld
04/12/2024
0:23
Only Fools and Horses comes to Grand Theatre
Express & Star
22/10/2024
0:53
Film crews in Wolverhampton as filming takes place
Express & Star
28/01/2025
0:31
The Mousetrap at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Express & Star
26/06/2024
1:58
Beverley Knight coming home to star for the first time at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre
Express & Star
17/02/2025
1:29
Sleeping Beauty 2021 Lyceum preview HB
National World - Sponsored Content
03/12/2021
5:52
Beverley Knight returns home to appear at Wolves Grand Theatre
Express & Star
30/05/2025
0:39
An Officer and a Gentleman at the Grand Theatre
Express & Star
24/09/2024
12:40
Express & Star Business Awards 2025 .
Express & Star
06/06/2025
1:45
Brand new Wolverhampton Cocktail Bar/ Night Life venue: Space.
Express & Star
02/11/2024
4:06
The Express & Star talk to Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight during his visit to Shelby & Co bar at Birmingham Airport.
Express & Star
10/01/2025
2:58
Stars Hayley Tamaddon and Steve Royle to perform in Blackpool panto
Blackpool Gazette
30/08/2022
7:46
Broadcaster Ed James chats to the Express & Star about his new BBC WM show during his visit to Wolverhampton.
Express & Star
16/04/2025
0:27
The cast of Sinbad the Sailor at Aldridge Youth Theatre are looking forward to the show!
Express & Star
02/01/2025
3:25
The Old Rep Theatre & BOA presents- Beauty and The Beast
Local TV
02/12/2022
1:05
Monsters take over Wolverhampton City Centre.
Express & Star
29/10/2024
0:37
War horse comes to the Grand Theatre.
Express & Star
13/03/2025
0:33
Film crew at the former E&S
Express & Star
08/10/2024
0:13
Film crews and actors spotted in Wolverhampton for second day of filming
Express & Star
10/10/2024
1:41
Tricks, thrills and stunts lined up for Wolverhampton's Extreme Wheels event
Express & Star
10/06/2025
3:19
Willenhall Carnival 2025.
Express & Star
07/06/2025
0:58
Wolverhampton college Christmas co.
Express & Star
16/12/2024
14:04
A friendly place steeped on history and tradition- The Express & Star visits Wordsley
Express & Star
16/06/2025
0:55
Actors Emily Askey and Julie Hunter talk of proposed Prince of Wales Theatre closure
Express & Star
06/12/2024
5:06
Behind the scenes of the Sleeping Beauty panto at The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
The Star, Sheffield
07/12/2021