Christmas at the Cresset

Beauty and the Beast is coming to the stage this Christmas. From

Stuart Morrison Productions is presenting a fantastic family pantomime that brings everything you expect from a Cresset panto: glittering sets, spectacular songs and dance, plenty of audience participation – plus some truly terrible jokes! Headlining this year’s production is Grant Urquhart as cheeky chap Silly Billy, who is best known for being a featured waiter on Channel 4’s First Dates and First Dates Hotel. The extremely talented Victoria Jane is Beauty, whilst the Good Fairy is Kim Taylforth of Bad Girls, Brookside and London’s Burning. Andrew Crawford from CBeebies is the Beast! Let us hear from the Beauty and the Beast…

Andrew (Beast): I didn't know I wanted to be an actor until my High School acting classes. Primary school should be a time to explore and have fun. Victoria (Beauty): I wanted to be a baker! I loved baking with my mum – she is an amazing baker. I loved kneading bread dough and watching it transform when it was baked. I still find it magical.

Andrew: I always loved drama lessons at school and also maths. I like them for different reasons. In drama we can express ourselves; in maths we problem solve. Victoria: I loved PE, dance and music. I was always happiest being active.

Andrew: That has to be Mr Tumble. CBeebies was a wonderful place to go into and work. Po from the Teletubbies came to visit the set one day, we saw the filming of Justin's House on another. But the biggest laugh we had on our set was when we were asked to play 'air bass', which is just like air guitar but slightly longer, and our director decided not to call 'Cut!', so it left us playing an imaginary bass guitar for minutes on end until everyone on set burst out laughing.

Victoria: I was a huge Thomas the Tank Engine fan. I had all the trains and I would take them everywhere with me in my rucksack...but back in those days they were made of metal Not the lightest things to carry!

Andrew: The Beast is a great character to play. He was turned into this Beast as punishment, so he has a lot of history and back story to go through as an actor. But for Panto we always need fun and music and dancing, so I cannot wait for get my moody grooves on.

Victoria: Pantos are very special to everyone involved. It is many people's first experience of theatre and that really is a great honour to be a part of. There really is something for everyone in Pantos and, for me, it is what makes Christmas, Christmas.

Andrew: Enjoy the process of making and creating so you have a great chance of keeping it up. For years I had goals and aims to reach for, and often forgot to enjoy the process. Victoria: Never stop learning. Even when you have finished training, keep looking for ways to keep pushing yourself. There are always new skills to learn.