Lewes Roberts is delighted to be heading to Eastbourne this Christmas as Prince/Beast for this year’s spectacular panto at the Devonshire Park Theatre.
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00:00 Good morning, my name is Phil Hewitt, Group Arts Editor for Sussex Newspapers. Fantastic
00:06 this morning to speak to Lewis Roberts, who's very excited because Lewis, you have got,
00:11 Prince Charming I should say, you have got the panto you wanted. You are going to be
00:16 in Eastbourne this year for your third panto. Why Eastbourne? You've got panto connections,
00:22 haven't you?
00:23 I do indeed. Eastbourne, so I'm a Brighton boy, so I'm just down the coast. I live in
00:28 London now. I've moved up to London since going to drama school, but I've been doing
00:32 pantomime across the country with Jordans, who do the pantomime in Eastbourne for the
00:37 last few years. And I was really hoping to have the Devonshire Park venue for my stint
00:42 this year because, well firstly, being so close to home, being so close to Brighton,
00:46 but also my brother and his fiancee live in Eastbourne. So I'll be spending it with them.
00:52 I'll get to actually spend all the time.
00:53 I got on your brother's name, you were saying he's a rugby legend.
00:57 Yes, rugby legend, coach at Eastbourne College, Jack Roberts.
01:00 And his fiancee, who also works there.
01:03 Lara Garrett, head of English, power couple at the college. So I'll be spending it with
01:10 them, which is lovely.
01:11 And they are putting you up. They're offering a stable over Christmas, are they?
01:15 Yes, they'll be looking after me. I'm hoping for lots of cooked meals. If you're seeing
01:22 this now, lots of cooked meals.
01:25 That was a hinge, wasn't it? Now, you are, let's stress this, you are Prince Charming.
01:31 Now, does that role come with a degree of pressure? You've got a lot to live up to there.
01:35 Well, I don't take that the wrong way, but you've got to be Prince Charming, haven't
01:39 you?
01:40 Well, I suppose more specifically in Beauty and the Beast is Prince Galant in Beauty and
01:45 the Beast, with being our version, which is a great role because you get to do three parts
01:51 really, because it's a bit of a journey. I mean, pantomime usually, you know, with the
01:55 princes, they arrive on stage on that first scene and they have their objective, which
02:01 is go get the princess, save the day. And it's pretty straightforward. Whereas what's
02:06 lovely about this show is the prince does have a journey. He starts as a bit of a flouncy
02:12 toff turning up into town. Then, I don't want to spoil this for anyone, there's a beast
02:17 who arrives, who may or may not be the prince. And then at the end of the show, perhaps there's
02:25 retribution. Who can say, you're going to have to book to see it.
02:28 Redemption, isn't it?
02:29 Exactly. Exactly. So it's a great role. It's a fantastic part because it's loads of fun,
02:35 like the rest of the show. It's loads of fun and it moves very quick. And there's some
02:39 great tunes along the way as well.
02:40 So it sounds like it's got it all. It's the role you want, it's close to Brighton.
02:45 Yeah. And the most, I mean, the most beautiful theatre I've ever performed in Devonshire
02:51 Park is absolutely gorgeous. An old match and theatre. So, you know, if you feel for
02:56 those that know it, know exactly what I'm talking about and those who haven't been there,
03:02 I mean, it's a delight. It's an old match and theatre. So you're still very close to
03:06 the audience whilst being very grand at the same time. And it's just the perfect home
03:12 for the show over Christmas.
03:13 Brilliant. Well, have a lovely time this Christmas.
03:17 Thank you very much.
03:18 And yeah, happy Christmas. Thank you.
03:19 And to you too. Cheers Phil.
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