There’s only a few more sleeps until our latest panto is in full swing here at WTM – and we are excited to present our dreamiest show yet, Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime.
To get everyone in the panto spirit, we’ve caught up with three of our stars (Oh, yes we did!) to find out more about them and what they love most about panto!
Michael Auger
Michael, The Royal Gardener
As part of vocal group ‘Collabro’, Michael Auger, won the eighth series of Britain’s Got Talent with the largest majority vote in the show’s history. Collabro went on to be the world’s number one Musical Theatre Boyband, releasing five studio albums and touring the UK, Asia, Canada and the US.
Michael plays our dashing hero, Micahel the Royal Gardener.
I play Michael the Royal Gardener, who is friends with the princess. I like the way he remains humble and always looks out for his friends and colleagues.
I am singing quite a lot of songs in this pantomime so I will need to make sure my vocal cords are warm before each show. I do this by performing lots of vocal warm up techniques and also I like to jog on the spot to stay warm at the same time!
I’m really looking forward to singing ‘Kiss From A Rose’ originally by Seal. I’ve never sung it before so it’s special for this pantomime – and very fitting as the royal gardener as I wake Sleeping Beauty with an enchanted rose.
I absolutely love the bond created with the rest of the cast and crew in panto. There are multiple shows a day and it’s an intense rehearsal schedule so you become like family pretty quickly! Also it’s at Christmas time so seeing all the audience in Christmas spirit, joining in and getting excited adds to our fun on stage!
I would plant a LEGO tree. I’m imagining you plant individual bricks and then hanging off the branches are boxes of LEGO.
I’m hopeful audiences will find the show uplifting – and with a message that love and friendship conquers all.
Thank you, Michael.
After Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime, you can see Micahel Auger on satge with COLLABRO one final time to celebrate 10 years since winning Britains Got Talent, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Friday 7th June 2024.
Marcavia McCarthy
Princess Ariana
Marcavia is an outstanding singer, dancer and actor. She recently graduated from University of Chichester’s reknowned Musical Theatre BA ‘Triple Threat’ programme.
Marcavia is returning to the coastal county for this starring role as the panto’s titular princess!
Hi, my name is Marcavia McCarthy, I grew up in South East London and am a recent graduate from the University of Chichester; having studied Musical Theatre I am an absolute lover of all things arts, imagination and storytelling.
I absolutely loved my time training in Sussex, uni has been some of the best three years of my life, having both gained valuable skills, life experience, and great memories that I will remember forever.
This take on the Sleeping Beauty will have all the same elegance and sophistication as the well known princess, but will also be a lot more feisty, determined and courageous.
I think if I were asleep for 100 years and had woken up, the first thing I would probably do is wash my face and brush my teeth out of habit and then watch the news and try to catch up on what I had missed over the past 100 years.
I think that children will most enjoy seeing the wonderful and vibrant range of characters in this year’s panto, as well as all the funny shenanigans that they get up to.
With this year’s panto I am most looking forward to being able to do what I love, that being performing and storytelling, and being able to share this with the audience. But, most importantly, I’m looking forward to being in the glittery and magical world of this year’s panto.
Thank you, Marcavia!
You can follow Marcavia on instagram: @m_ezra_
Katie Pritchard
Fairy Amethyst
Katie is an award-winning comedian, musician, West End & TV actor and artist. Gilded with glitz and shimmering with sparkle, the hilarious Katie will be waving her magic wand as she returns to Worthing Panto for the fourth consecutive year.
Katie is playing the Amethyst Fairy, bringing in her own unique, award-winning style to the role.
Hello! I am Katie Pritchard and I am a tiny idiot who likes to prance around onstage and have loads of fun. And this year I will be playing the role of Fairy Amethyst in Sleeping Beauty. She is a magical fairy who tries to help – “tries” being the operative word here! The costume is fab and the cast is sublime, so I think I’m going to have loads of fun this year being back at Worthing Pavilion Theatre!
I love that Fairy Amethyst doesn’t take herself too seriously! She’s magical, sure, but she’s also up for a laugh!
Magic myself a portable step ladder that can walk next to me and be available if I need to reach things down from top shelves at home or in the supermarkets, or in shoe shops where they always put the smallest shoes at the top?! Make it make sense!
I love that all the lovely crew and theatre staff and audiences make me feel like I’m at home! It can be hard being away from home at Christmas, but having great people around makes it a whole bunch easier! I also love that people on twitter/x still message me about ‘The Eggs Go Into The Cake’ song – makes me laugh every time! Weeeeeeee MIX IT IN WE FOLD IT IN WE BAKE IT IN THE BAKING TIN!!!
And also – THOSE VIEWS! Oh my word, the views from the theatre over the beach and pier are simply sublime! Every sunrise and sunset here takes my breath away.
I can’t wait to see what they do with the set! Worthing pantos always look so beautiful! And the props that the students from Northbrook College make are incredible – we’re always in the rehearsal rooms discussing our favourite props!
I think there’s something for everyone in this show – great songs, hilarious characters, lovely cast members, and a great front of house team to make you feel right at home! All the characters are very fun and there’ll be loads of chances for joining in, and booing and cheering! And I can’t wait to be back!
Thank you, Katie!
After Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime, you can find Katie hosting the brilliantly bonkers Broadway Bingo in January. You can find Katie on all the socials: @katiepritchards
Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime is at the Pavilion Theatre from Friday 1st December 2023 – Monday 1st January 2024. Tickets on sale now.