Just Imagine

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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...

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 del...

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...

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, wha...