Just Imagine

Just Imagine Podcast – Episode 142: Su Pollard This week on the Just Imagine Podcast , Martin Ballard is joined by the fabulous Su Pollard , one of British television’s best-loved comedy legends, whose career has spanned more than 50 years! Best known for her iconic roles in Hi-de-Hi! , You Rang, M’Lord? and Oh, Doctor Beeching! , Su reflects on her remarkable career in television, musical theatre...

Just Imagine Podcast – Episode 141: Kev Orkian In Episode 141 of the Just Imagine Podcast, host Martin Ballard sits down with the multi-talented Kev Orkian, actor, comedian, concert pianist and pantomime favourite, who is returning to the stage as Smee in Imagine Theatre’s Peter Pan at the Wycombe Swan this Christmas. Kev shares the incredible story of his journey from growing up in North London t...

Episode 140 – Gethin Jones: From Blue Peter to Pantomime In Episode 140 of the Just Imagine podcast, Martin Ballard is joined by TV favourite Gethin Jones , who is returning to his home city of Cardiff this Christmas to star as Gaston in Imagine Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast at the New Theatre. Gethin chats about growing up in Cardiff, his early love of music and rugby, and how his career took hi...

Episode 139 – A Year in the Life of a Producer: July, August & September In Episode 139 of the Just Imagine podcast, Martin Ballard is joined once again by Imagine Theatre Joint CEO Sarah Boden for the third instalment of our four-part series looking at a year in the life of a pantomime producer . As the summer draws to a close, the countdown to pantomime is gathering pace. Children's aud...

Episode 137 – Susie McKenna: Reimagining Pantomime for a New Generation In Episode 137 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined by the acclaimed writer, director and actor Susie McKenna , whose groundbreaking work at the Hackney Empire helped redefine what modern pantomime could be. From her early days performing with her parents and training in Leicester, to becoming a Principal...

Episode 136 – David Ashley: Four Decades as a Pantomime Dame In Episode 136 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined by one of the UK's most respected performers, directors and educators – David Ashley – as he reflects on a remarkable career spanning four decades in theatre and pantomime. From his early days as a chorister with the Royal School of Church Music to starring in...

Episode 135 – The Comic: The Heart of Pantomime with Joe Pasquale & Liam Dolan What makes a great pantomime comic? In Episode 135 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined by two of the UK's most experienced pantomime performers – Joe Pasquale and Liam Dolan – to explore one of pantomime's most beloved stock characters: the Comic . From the origins of the role with J...

Episode 138: The Little Mermaid – Can a New Pantomime Title Become a Classic? In this episode of the Just Imagine Podcast , we dive under the sea to explore one of pantomime’s newer titles – The Little Mermaid . Martin Ballard is joined by Imagine Theatre Joint CEO Steve Boden and actor, writer and director Fraser Boyle , who wrote Imagine’s production of The Little Mermaid for the Adam Smith Thea...

Episode 134 – Richard Cadell: Magic, Sooty and the Magic of Pantomime In Episode 134 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined by one of British entertainment's most recognisable performers – illusionist, puppeteer, actor, writer and the man behind the nation's favourite bear, Richard Cadell . From being crowned Young Magician of the Year and building spectacular stage i...

Just Imagine Podcast – Episode 133: A Year in the Life of a Pantomime Producer (Part 2) In Episode 133 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined once again by Imagine Theatre's Joint CEO, Business & Marketing Director, Sarah Boden, for the second instalment of our special four-part series exploring A Year in the Life of a Pantomime Producer . As the pantomime season begin...

Episode 132 – Building a Greener Future for Pantomime Released during Great Big Green Week 2026, Episode 132 of the Just Imagine Podcast sees host Martin Ballard joined by Imagine Theatre Joint CEO Sarah Boden and Operations & Production Administrator Jaz Evans to explore the company's sustainability journey and commitment to greener theatre-making. Following the recent Theatre Green Book...

Episode 131 of the Just Imagine Podcast features pantomime writer, producer, director and dame Brad Fitt. Host Martin Ballard chats to Brad about his lifelong love of theatre, which began with childhood visits to the pantomime at Norwich Theatre Royal, and the magical moment that inspired his career in entertainment. Brad reflects on his journey from front-of-house usher and stage manager to becom...

Episode 130 of the Just Imagine Podcast takes a closer look at one of pantomime’s most colourful and fast-growing titles — Goldilocks and the Three Bears . Host Martin Ballard is joined by Scottish actor, singer and director Andrew Agnew — best known to many as PC Plum from Balamory — alongside pantomime historian and curator Simon Sladen for a fascinating discussion exploring the history, evoluti...

Episode 129 – Live from the UK Pantomime Awards 2026! In this episode of the Just Imagine Podcast , Martin takes you right to the heart of the action at the UK Pantomime Awards 2026 – the biggest night in the panto calendar. From the buzz of the red carpet to behind-the-scenes conversations with some of the industry’s brightest stars, this episode captures the energy, excitement, and celebration o...

Martin is joined by panto comic Ste Johnston Laughter, graft and life behind the greasepaint take centre stage in this episode of Just Imagine . Martin sits down with Ste Johnston , the much‑loved panto comic, for a brilliant conversation about comedy, confidence and carving out a career that’s anything but ordinary. From winning over family crowds to mastering the art of controlled chaos, Ste sha...

In Episode 127 of the Just Imagine Podcast, Martin sits down with Lighting Designer Matt Ladkin to explore the creative and technical craft behind lighting that truly transforms spaces and experiences. Matt shares his journey into lighting design and the thinking behind creating atmosphere and emotion through light, this conversation highlights how great lighting goes far beyond illumination — it...

Featuring BBC Radio’s Richie Anderson This week on Just Imagine , Martin is joined by the brilliantly energetic and endlessly warm Richie Anderson , BBC Radio presenter and much‑loved personality from The One Show and BBC Radio 2 . In this lively conversation, Richie shares stories from his journey behind the mic, from growing up with a love of performance to becoming one of the BBC’s most recogni...

This bonus episode of the Just Imagine Podcast has been released to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week. In this special conversation, Martin Ballard chats with actor and director Jason Marc-Williams about neurodiversity, his own lived experience, and how the theatre industry can evolve to better support neurodivergent individuals so their creativity can truly thrive. The episode also features a...

Welcome to Episode 125 of the Just Imagine podcast – and the start of something brand new. This week marks the first instalment of our brand-new series, “A Year in the Life of a Producer.” Over the coming months, we’ll be lifting the curtain on what it really takes to produce large-scale family entertainment and pantomime across the UK. Producing isn’t just opening night and applause. It’s long-te...

This week on the Just Imagine Podcast , we’re joined by a true British screen and stage favourite – Sue Holderness ! Best known to millions as Marlene Boyce in Only Fools and Horses , Sue has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning television, theatre and radio – including appearances in The Green Green Grass , West End productions, touring theatre, and, of course, pantomime! In this episode, Sue sha...

After producing 21 Christmas shows across the UK, Imagine Theatre Joint CEO's Sarah and Steve Boden sit down with Martin to reflect on the 2025/2026 season. They reflect on the scale of the season just gone and look ahead to what 2026 will bring for Imagine Theatre. A proper behind-the-scenes listen for anyone who loves theatre, creativity and the future of live entertainment.

This week, Martin is joined by two much-loved faces of the Royal Spa Centre pantomime, JP McCue and Sean Dodds , as they take their final bows after a decade of starring in the pantomime each year in Leamington Spa. In this episode, JP and Sean reflect on their time in panto, sharing memories, laughs and behind-the-scenes stories from more than a decade of entertaining audiences. They talk about w...

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...

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-t...

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 be...