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PODCAST

Just Imagine

Imagine Theatre

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

arts performing arts

All Episodes

33:15

Episode 121 - Andy Ford

Just Imagine ·

2026/01/02

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 The Royal Variety Performance, Havakazoo, Talking Telephone Numbers, Today with Des and Mel, and many more. A beloved favourite of the pantomime world, Andy began his panto career in the 80s and has worked with many icons such as National Treasure Dame Barbara Windsor...

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33:18

Episode 120 - Suzanne Shaw

Just Imagine ·

2025/12/19

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 exceptionally varied and fascinating career. She began training in dance and theatre from the age of three, made her television debut at just 12, and shot to fame in 2001 as a member of the chart-topping band Hear’Say. Since then, she has gone on to star in leading roles in major musicals, spent...

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35:44

Episode 119 - Elaine C Smith

Just Imagine ·

2025/12/05

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, and the hit sitcom Two Doors Down, for which she earned a Scottish BAFTA. She’s also a beloved panto legend, captivating audiences year after year. In recent years, Elaine has been honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the UK Pantomime Association and granted the ...

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42:41

A Focus on Aladdin

Just Imagine ·

2025/11/21

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 frequently reinvented pantomimes in the canon. Simon and David explore how the show has evolved over the centuries, from shifting settings and new characters to bold reinterpretations in modern productions. They unpack what makes Aladdin such a versatile story and why it continues...

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34:12

Episode 117 - Hilary O'Neil

Just Imagine ·

2025/11/07

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 show business. But after training at Laine Theatre Arts, her talent and drive quickly took her into the spotlight — beginning as a dancer with the legendary Ken Dodd. From there her career went from strength to strength including being a founder member of the Stutz ...

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27:08

Episode 116 - The Panto Baddie

Just Imagine ·

2025/10/24

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 of the villain’s role — from the origins of the classic characters to the curious tradition of always entering from the left-hand side of the stage. They’ll unpack the art of playing the baddie, the magic of that love-to-hate dynamic with the audience, and what makes a truly unforget...

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44:22

UKPA - Pantomime Scriptwriting Panel

Just Imagine ·

2025/10/10

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. A panel of top writers from across the country gathered to share insights into their creative process — from crafting jokes and choreographing slosh scenes to writing stage directions and choosing the perfect songs for panto. All good pantomimes begin wit...

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30:13

Episode 114 - Anita Harris

Just Imagine ·

2025/09/26

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 in show business, including the legendary Morecambe and Wise. A lifelong lover of pantomime, Anita has appeared in countless productions over the years and still delights in attending them whenever she can. Join us as we explore her extraordinary journey through...

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31:13

Episode 113 – The Road to Panto: Anton Stephans,...

Just Imagine ·

2025/09/12

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32:45

Episode 112 - Panto Legend Bobby Bennett

Just Imagine ·

2025/08/29

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. From that moment, he built an extraordinary career in showbusiness. In 1964, he made his mark on Opportunity Knocks, and just a few years later became a household name as the presenter of ITV’s popular children’s variety show Junior Showtime (1969–1974). On stage, Bob...

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29:10

Episode 111 - Surinderella

Just Imagine ·

2025/08/15

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, Wolverhampton Grand, and Watford Palace, the show promises a dazzling mix of East and West. In the episode, Pravesh shares the story behind Rifco Theatre Company, what inspired him to reimagine the classic Cinderella tale, and why he believes panto is the pe...

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32:15

Episode 110 - Jarred Christmas

Just Imagine ·

2025/08/01

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 favourite at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, where he's been delighting panto audiences since 2021. In this episode, Jarred chats with Martin about his journey from a shy child to a confident performer, his first taste of pantomime, and how he’s had to adapt ...

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34:44

Episode 109 - The Role of the DSM

Just Imagine ·

2025/07/18

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 in theatre led to working in stage management, the training they have received, how they developed in the role and just what a day in the life of a DSM is like!

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28:23

Episode 108 – La Voix

Just Imagine ·

2025/07/04

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 Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. No stranger to the screen she has appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Celebrity Weakest Link; Queen of The Universe and in AbFab The Movie. She was a Finalist in 2014’s Britain’s Got Talent. Touring with her own shows around the U...

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28:00

Episode 107 – The History of Cross-Dressing in Theatre

Just Imagine ·

2025/06/20

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 theatre to Shakespearean stages to modern drag performers, gender has always been more fluid under the lights than many realise and has always played a significant role in pantomime in particular. In this episode, Janet dives into the historical and artist...

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36:41

Episode 106 – Open Day at Imagine’s New HQ, Trafalgar...

Just Imagine ·

2025/06/06

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 Trafalgar team who have helped to make the move a reality. On this episode Martin joins Sarah and Steve on a tour of the building, shares highlights from the day and talks to some of the guests about the amazing new building.

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31:30

Episode 105 - Joe Pasquale

Just Imagine ·

2025/05/23

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 legend Kev Johns 35 years ago. Joe talks through his extensive and fascinating career, from early days on New Faces and being taken under the wing of comedy legends Ken Dodd, Des O’Connor and Bob Monkhouse to winning I’m A Celebrity in 2004 and taking par...

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29:07

Episode 104 - A Focus on Puss In Boots

Just Imagine ·

2025/05/09

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 typical rags to riches tale with baddies, fairies, skin characters, a panto dame, principal boy and a love story. It has a fascinating history and was central in cementing the tradition of the female principal boy with Eliza Povey playing the role in 1823 i...

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34:00

Episode 103 – The UK Pantomime Awards

Just Imagine ·

2025/04/25

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 others Martin talks to Anita Harris, Elaine C Smith Simon Sladen, Sam Munday-Webb, Ben Goffe, Andrew Ryan and Basil Brush about the awards and their love of the genre.

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31:25

Episode 102 - The Panto Dame

Just Imagine ·

2025/04/11

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 the development of the panto dame from ancient Greek theatre to the dames of the early 19th century, where what we recognise as a panto dame today came into being. They also discuss those performers who have influenced their style of dame and their own in...

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122 results

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