Production company behind Theatre Royal pantos up for four awards

Regal Entertainments Ltd run by Jane Joseph and her daughter Chantelle Nolan, run St Helens Theatre Royal and showcase their work at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre, which they co-manage.

Cinerella cast (Image: David Munn)

And both Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which entertained Epstein Theatre audiences last Christmas, and Cinderella which dazzled festive theatregoers at St Helens Theatre Royal, have been nominated for accolades at the National Panto Awards 2023.

The awards are run by the UK Pantomime Association and will take place this year at the Trafalgar Theatre in London’s West End on Tuesday, April 11, hosted by stage and screen star Christopher Biggins.

Cinerella cast (Image: David Munn)

The nominees were chosen by 64 judges who attended more than 240 venues and saw more than 700 performances across the UK.

Regal Entertainments Ltd has been shortlisted in four separate categories:

Best Small Panto (under 500 seats): Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre.

Best Villain: Timothy Lucas for his role as Baron Von Vippemall in Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Best Ensemble: Grace Faulkner, Jack Trafford, Lucy Stewart, Molly Thorpe Franklin, Callum Fairfield, Lucy Deakin and Georgia Murray in Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Best Sound Design: Conrad Kemp for Cinderella at St Helens Theatre Royal.

Goldilocks cast (Image: David Munn Photography)

Regal Entertainments Ltd.’s Jane Joseph and Chantelle Nolan said: “This is fantastic news for everyone at Regal Entertainments, not least our extraordinarily talented and hard-working casts and creative teams who more than deserve this national industry recognition.

“Pantomime is such an important part of British theatre tradition; it’s often children and young people’s first taste of live performance. A great panto can spark a lifelong love affair with the theatre, and that’s what we strive to give our audiences at both the Epstein Theatre and at St Helens.”

Goldilocks cast (Image: David Munn Photography)

Simon Sladen, chairman of the UK Panto Association, added: “After what for many venues was a record-breaking pantomime season in 2022/23, we can’t wait to celebrate the wide array of excellence in the genre at the National Pantomime Awards this April.

“Pantomime is one of the most exciting, vibrant forms of theatre, entertaining millions of people each festive season.

“Thank you to everyone who brings the pantomime magic to the stage, and good luck to all of this year’s nominees.”