CBeebies star Rebecca Keatley has joined the cast of Venue Cymru's panto.

Venue Cymru and producers Imagine Theatre announce further casting for their 2022/2023 panto season as Rebecca leads the cast of Beauty and the Beast as Belle.

She is joined by venue favourites John Evans, James Lusted and Jason Marc Williams in the show that will run between December 10 and 31. 

North Wales Chronicle: Rebecca KeatleyRebecca Keatley

Rebecca, who grew up in Port Talbot, South Wales, has been a regular face on UK TV screens since 2012.

Her sense of fun has cemented her place as a firm favourite amongst the loyal viewers.

Rebecca is best known to her fans both young and old as the bubbly and vivacious anchor of the CBeebies House and hit children’s TV Show, Let’s Play.

Her time on the popular TV show has seen her play a plethora of colourful characters from a plumber to a pirate to a jungle explorer and everything imaginable in between. 

When not in front of the camera, Rebecca lends her recognisable Welsh lilt to the CBeebies Bafta award winning show ‘Time for School’ and ‘My Family’ as the familiar voice of the Narrator. She has also starred in eight CBeebies pantomimes, several award winning CBeebies Shakespeare shows and presented live from the Royal Albert Hall for the CBeebies Proms.

Rebecca said: “I’m thrilled to be spending the festive season in Wales this Christmas, playing one of my all-time favourite characters Belle, in Beauty and the Beast. I’m really looking forward to spending Christmas near the seaside in Llandudno at the beautiful Venue Cymru alongside such a talented group of people. I’m also hoping to brush up on my GCSE Welsh”

Venue Cymru panto favourite funnyman John Evans recently seen in BBC1 drama The Responder joins Rebecca on stage. He’s back by overwhelming popular demand for his 12th Llandudno pantomime.

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Popular stars from last year’s show will also return, local actor and TV presenter James Lusted (Songs of Praise, The 4 o’Clock Club)  and Jason Marc Williams (Easy Terms, All’s Fair, Spangled) who will be donning some fabulous frocks in role of the Dame this year and will also co-direct the show.   

Richard Jones, Venue Cymru’s Marketing Manager, said: “We couldn’t be happier to welcome back John Evans who, over the years has become a firm favourite with our audiences. James and Jason became part of our pantomime family last year so it’s great to see them return. We know that Rebecca will delight younger family members who will know her well from her time with CBeebies and look forward to welcoming you all this festive season. We know that they will all deliver a fantastic magical family pantomime.”

Beauty and the Beast will be sure to make you laugh, cry and fall in love with a host of hilarious and hairy characters - so book your tickets now and discover if Belle can see beyond appearances and learn to love a beast!

Tickets are on sale now at venuecymru.co.uk