It's just been announced on Twitter that Lee is to be Prince Charming at the New Theatre in Cardiff, from 13th December to 18th January.

Squeee!!!

Now, that is type casting!

Lee in tights!

I wonder who his Cinders is going to be?

Yay!

,Whenever Lee is in cardiff he is only 40 mies from me here in Swansea, wish he would pop over or tea or coffee!

After a horrid day, this is just the news I needed. Relatively easy to get to, and because I've been made redundant and am going to retire, no worries whether I'm allowed the time off at Christmas.

Sorry to hear your news Tanith, unless of course it works out well for you and good in the long run. xx

Oh dear Tanith I am sorry to hear that you are going to be made redundant
Have you been contemplating retirement anyway?

I was hoping to make it to 65 but in all honesty couldn't see myself lasting out any longer than that. It's the younger ones I feel sorry for, some of them were crying when we were told the news.

I may have a nice long break and then see if I can get temping work just to put a bit more in the kitty.

Thanks for your nice comments about this.

That's my Christmas present sorted. Another trip to Cardiff coming up in early January.

Sorry about the redundancy but I am sure you will enjoy retirement. Far more time to get to see Lee and a bit of temping can put some cash in the kitty to do that, hopefully.

Thanks for that. We've all put in for voluntary early release and that would mean a nice lump sum if we're accepted, but an earlier finish. I think I'd prefer the earlier finish than to see team members disappear one by one, or, worse, having to go on another team for the last couple of months, as our team has built up such a great rapport. The lump sum will come in handy for a few advance Lee bookings.

From this tweet...

@Debbie_Rimmer1: "Congrats to our new graduate client @HollyBluett who will be playing opposite @leemeadofficial in #cinderella #newtheatrecardiff"

...it looks as though Lee's Cinderella will be Holly Bluett.

She is very pretty (and very young!) https://twitter.com/HollyBluett

I think it's interesting (in a good way) that QDOS are happy to have Lee as the main 'name' headlining the panto in Cardiff this year. In previous years, Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Bobby Davro took top billing but QUOS must think that Lee has now earned the top slot after the success of the Southampton and Plymouth pantos

There are, of course, other celebs supporting Lee in the full cast:

http://www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk/what\\\'s-on/pantomime-cinderella/

Interesting! Lee has obviously earned his panto stripes!

Woohoo, I've just finally booked to see the panto. 3 shows on the last weekend. I will have to sit through all your reviews before I get my chance to don the ball gown!

Sounds like a perfect weekend Jazzylou

Slightly OT, but I see that Keith Jack is also playing Prince Charming in panto this Christmas - in Horsham! He's also doing a concert there in January - bet he hopes it goes as well as Lee's recent gig there. I suppose it makes sense that Lee and Keith will play some of the same venues as they have the same music agent.

I see from Lee's recent re-tweet that it is press launch day for the panto tomorrow.

Looking forward to the pics of Prince Charming - and maybe a little interview or two!

Re Jazzylou's post, I had to do that with Robin Hood last year, I'm grateful to everybody who managed to send reviews without spoilers until the panto was over. Brilliant news about the press launch, I thought it was about time for some photos.

Hello Mr Charming :)

Lee in his Prince Charming 'clobber'!

LINKY THING

Prince Charming, Cinderella and the glass slipper:-

LINKY THING

Prince Charming, Cinderella, Dandini, Fairy Godmother and Buttons:-

LINKY THING

A few more :)

Are you going to Cinderella this year Tanith?

Thanks for the photos SunnyMead, how gorgeous he looks! Shame he is wearing a shirt this year but I've always loved puffy sleeves so I'm happy. Not sure if I can wait until the end before I see it!

......and an Interview :)

Great fun photo of Lee posted on twitter by @huwjohnpics the
photographer at the press launch today.

If somebody could do a link please.

Here we go

Digging around for panto stuff today, I have just come upon this wonderful article via @feedthesprout on Twitter on why "Teaisprettyawsome" feels she just has to interview the panto cast - she's Meadmushed before she's even started!


http://www.thesprout.co.uk/en/news/why-i-have-to-interviews/17291.html

Thanks ALiz for finding that good read :)

New Theatre, Cardiff

Nice pics!

Here's an article and further photos (as re-tweeted by Lee) from Wales-on-line:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/gareth-thomas-set-ball-after-7782013

Lee's looking rather tanned!!!

He does look like he's been in contact with a tanning booth!

That interview photo is quite funny, it looks like Lee is in two places at the same time as the guy in the front of the shot looks like him too! Seeng double!
Love the panto pics.

I thought just the same. I thought there was a mirror involved until I noticed the shirts were different colours!

If you go on to the Rex Features page for Lee, they have added lots of lovely panto photos:

http://www.rexfeatures.com/search/?kw=lee+mead&order=newest&iso=GBR&lkw=&viah=Y&stk=N&sft=&search_action_desktop=

Some lovely ones there, but what a shame one of the nicest has Rex printed right across Lee's face. Copyright protection, I suppose.

Ooooh! very nice!....such a charming 'Prince Charming'...love the outfit too.

No 'open shirt' (well not open enough! IMO ) in this Panto!... shame!
Perhaps a little 'Imagination' is required this year ladies! or...
maybe as 'Mistress of the Robes' (White Jeans ) I could organise a slight costume malfunction!

Thanks everyone for the pics...nice ones on 'Rex' too.
Thanks for the link A/Liz...

Thanks for the Rex Features link Another Liz, some gorgeous photos
on there.

I'll be going to Cinderella in early January Jazzylou. Go go go with those scissors Curly Liz!

Tanith ...scissors have been carefully sharpened and packed safely in my case already...

The 'Mistress of the Robes' must always be ready for any costume malfunctions!...Not sure about causing them however...
All in a good cause though!...
Tee! hee!

I volunteer to be the naughty yobbo who creeps in and vandalises the costume so that you and your magic scissors have to step in!

Promotional video now on line :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKSL3TFLkqc

Thanks for the link A Liz.
Gorgeous close-ups.

First proper public performance of Cinderella this afternoon - I'm sure some forum members are in Cardiff right now! Looking forward to the reviews

In the meantime, I thought Lee's selfie from before yesterday's final dress rehearsal was worth reposting:

https://twitter.com/leemeadofficial/status/543426010545262592/photo/1

Thanks Greycat. He's always been our Prince Charming, hasn't he?
Hope the first performance is going well. Can't wait for the reviews.

While we wait for reviews, there are some nice pics in this article from Walesonline:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/gareth-thomas-friends-prepare-opening-8282238#ICID=sharebar_twitter

Now Lee has the first weekend of Panto under his belt
I can't wait to hear your reviews.
Oh & a few photo's if you have them

Tonight is Press Night for the Panto - Break A Leg Lee and the rest of the cast!

I haven't seen any press reviews yet but found this on Trip Advisor:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186460-d3655248-r244725127-New_Theatre-Cardiff_Southern_Wales_Wales.html

Good to see that both parents and children seem to be enjoying Cinderella

First press review I've found! And it's a good one

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/leisure/reviews/11678467.Review__Cinderella__New_Theatre__Cardiff/

Note: The review has some details about the panto (a couple of Lee's songs are named etc) that people still to see the panto may wish to avoid if they don't like spoilers.

As well as the above review, the South Wales Argus has a short interview with Lee:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/leisure/theatre/11678470.Lee_Mead_takes_to_the_stage_as_Prince_Charming/

And he also gets a mention in this article!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/dont-forget-youre-man-drag-8315315

Lovely reviews, thanks for sharing. I'm a little concerned about something I saw on Facebook, it mentioned that yesterday (Friday) was Lee's day off and he spent it recording his Christmas radio show. Does that mean he isn't in the panto on Fridays, as I have bought a ticket for January 2nd. I can't complain too much as I'm also going on the 3rd and 4th, but it would be nice to know what's happening there. Thanks.

Don't worry Tanith, as far as I know, Lee should appear at every show during the panto's run (unless he's ill of course). He was able to record his radio show yesterday as Friday was a day off for all of the cast. They generally have one day week off but the actual day varies during the run as they work around the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Ah thank you for reassuring me! Illness is a scary thought but, like weather, unpredictable. Hope to see lots of familiar faces soon.