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Just Imagine
Just Imagine – a podcast series from Imagine Theatre, one of the world’s leading producers of professional pantomime. With over 250 productions to their name, Imagine are true experts in this uniquely British theatrical tradition.
Join host Martin Ballard as we go behind the scenes to meet the people who bring the magic to life – discovering their stories, their roles, and answering that all-important question: what do they do for the rest of the year?
Along the way, we’ll explore the pantomime genre itself – its quirks, its history, and why it continues to delight audiences across the UK. Whether you’re a panto fan, theatre lover, or just curious about what it takes to stage hundreds of shows at once, Just Imagine offers a fun and fascinating listen.
Episodes
123 episodes
Episode 122 - JP McCue & Sean Dodds
This week, Martin is joined by two much-loved faces of the Royal Spa Centre pantomime, JP McCue and Sean Dodds, as they take their final bows after a decade of starring in the pantomime each year in Leamington Spa.In this episode,...
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26:33
Episode 121 - Andy Ford
This week, Martin is joined by comedy legend Andy Ford—a true stalwart of British entertainment.Starting in show business at a young age, Andy starred on Jonathan Ross’s Big Big Talent Show in 1997, before going on to appear on ...
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33:15
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Episode 120 - Suzanne Shaw
This week on the podcast, Martin is joined by the fabulous Suzanne Shaw, currently appearing as Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington at De Montfort Hall, Leicester.Suzanne is a true all-rounder with an excepti...
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33:18
Episode 119 - Elaine C Smith
This week, Martin is joined by the brilliant Elaine C. Smith, a true icon of Scottish showbusiness with a career spanning more than 40 years.Elaine is best known for her standout roles in City Lights, Rab C. Nesbitt
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35:44
A Focus on Aladdin
Simon Sladen and David Ashley join Martin on the podcast this week for another deep dive into a classic pantomime title — this time, Aladdin.First staged at Covent Garden in 1788, Aladdin has become one of the most freq...
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42:41
Episode 117 - Hilary O'Neil
Singer, comedian, impressionist, actress, musical theatre performer and pantomime veteran Hilary O’Neil joins Martin on this week’s podcast. Although she loved to dance as a child, Hilary never initially planned a career in s...
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34:12
Episode 116 - The Panto Baddie
This week, Martin is joined by Divina De Campo and Andy Hockley to dive into one of the most deliciously wicked ingredients of any good pantomime – the panto baddie!Together, they explore the fascinating history ...
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27:08
UKPA - Pantomime Scriptwriting Panel
The UK Pantomime Association recently hosted their second Panto Panel at the North Wall Arts Centre in Oxford, this time shining a spotlight on the art of scriptwriting and Martin was there to talk to some of the country’s top panto writers.
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44:22
Episode 114 - Anita Harris
Actor, singer, and dancer Anita Harris has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning six decades. From chart-topping hits to memorable roles in the iconic Carry On films, Anita has shared the stage and screen with some of the biggest names ...
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30:13
Episode 113 – The Road to Panto: Anton Stephans, Andrew Pollard & Cathy Breeze in Conversation
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31:13
Episode 112 - Panto Legend Bobby Bennett
This week’s guest on Just Imagine is true panto legend, TV presenter, and all-round entertainer Bobby Bennett.Bobby’s love affair with panto began at just seven years old, when he stepped onto the stage for his very first show. ...
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32:45
Episode 111 - Surinderella
This week, Martin sits down with Pravesh Kumar, Artistic Director of Rifco Theatre Company, to talk about Surinderella — his brand-new, Bollywood-inspired pantomime, touring this autumn. Produced in association with Imagine Theatre, Wo...
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29:10
Episode 110 - Jarred Christmas
This week on the podcast, Martin is joined by the brilliantly funny Jarred Christmas.Originally from New Zealand, Jarred has called the UK home for over two decades, carving out a successful career as a stand-up comedian. He's a familiar...
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32:15
Episode 109 - The Role of the DSM
This week we are going behind the scenes into the world of the DSM. We are joined by Jazmyne Evans and Kayleigh Alstin who both have a range of experience in theatre including as DSMs. Martin talks to them about how their interest i...
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34:44
Episode 108 – La Voix
This week Martin is joined by dazzling La Voix. La Voix will be spending her third pantomime season at Wycombe Swan this year for Imagine in Jack and the Beanstalk.La Voix was most recently seen wowing judges in the final of ...
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28:23
Episode 107 – The History of Cross-Dressing in Theatre
In this episode we explore the rich, provocative history of cross-dressing in theatre with acclaimed author and performance scholar Janet Tennant, author of the book It’s a Drag: Cross Dressing in Performance. From ancient Greek the...
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28:00
Episode 106 – Open Day at Imagine’s New HQ, Trafalgar House
On 19 May Imagine held an open day to mark the official opening of our new home Trafalgar House. We were delighted to be able to welcome many of the people that have been instrumental in Imagine’s growth over the years as well as many of the Tr...
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36:41
Episode 105 - Joe Pasquale
Comedian, actor, presenter and panto legend Joe Pasquale joins Martin on the podcast this week. This season Joe is performing in his first ever Imagine panto, returning to Swansea Grand, where he performed panto alongside Swansea le...
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31:30
Episode 104 - A Focus on Puss In Boots
This week Simon Sladen and Robert Marsden join Martin to discuss the panto Puss in Boots.One of the rarest pantomimes to be performed in recent times the panto is usually based on the Perrault version of the story from 1697. It is a typi...
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29:07
Episode 103 – The UK Pantomime Awards
This week Martin is behind the scenes at the UK Pantomime Association Awards at The New Victoria Theatre in Woking. The UKPA Awards are an exciting opportunity for the industry to come together and celebrate this special art form.Amongst...
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34:00
Episode 102 - The Panto Dame
They say there is ‘nothing like a dame’ and that can certainly be said to be true of pantomime. This episode Martin is joined by two performers who have played the role for many decades, Eric Potts and Iain Lauchlan. They discuss th...
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31:25
Episode 101 – Ben Goffe
In this episode Martin chats to performer Ben Goffe who has recently been nominated as Best Comic in the UK Pantomime Awards for his role as Buttons for Imagine’s production of Cinderella at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.Ben comes from a...
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34:34
Episode 100 – Celebrating Our 100th Episode With Some Panto Legends
We have reached 100 episodes of the Just Imagine podcast, and to celebrate our host Martin Ballard shares snippets from interviews with some panto legends including Morecambe and Wise, Roy Hudd, Danny La Rue, Larry Grayson, Nigel Ellacott, Bob ...
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44:23