NEWS: Eastwood Park Theatre has announced lead roles for Beauty and the Beast
Eastwood Park Theatre has announced lead roles for Beauty and the Beast, set to be its biggest panto to date as part of its 50th anniversary year.
Glasgow actress Chiara Sparkes will take the lead role of Belle, while Titus Rowe will play Bouffant Du Quiff, the cast’s equivalent of Gaston.
26-year-old Chiara from Glasgow, who now lives in East Kilbride, trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and The Dance School of Scotland.Theatre credits include Mamma Mia! (UK & International Tour) and Chiara fronted Visit Scotland’s ‘Scotland is Open’ global campaign in 2021.
Chiara said: “I am so excited to be playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast at Eastwood Park Theatre and can’t wait to get started.
“I saw my cousin playing a princess in a panto when I was eight and was desperate to follow in her footsteps. My parents would drive me to Paisley from Cumbernauld three times a week so I could attend drama classes. I owe everything to them for being so supportive in the beginning. I’ve been performing ever since and can’t wait to spend Christmas this year at Eastwood Park playing Belle.”
Titus Rowe has a string of screen and stage credits to his name, including numerous performances in London’s West End. The actor, originally from south Wales, adopted his stage name due to a love of Roman history. He runs Rome Now, which introduces children to history through interactive education workshops and teaches drama and public speaking to students aged 4-40. Titus is returning to Spillers Pantomimes for an eighth season to make his debut at Eastwood Park Theatre.
Titus said: “I am thrilled to be reprising the role of Bouffant Du Quiff and to return to Scotland, where the audiences are always so warm, responsive and welcoming. I think that being an actor is perhaps the greatest privilege in the universe and something that I’ve known I have wanted to do since I was five years old.”
Renowned panto producer Spillers Pantomimes returns to Eastwood Park Theatre’s stage for a third year with the tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast, set to run from 24 November to 31 December. Full cast details, including the role of the Beast, will follow. The panto will round off Eastwood Park Theatre’s golden anniversary year.
Tickets are on sale now priced from £13 with family tickets available from £55:
https://www.ercultureandleisure.org/theatre or call Eastwood Park Theatre box office on 0141 577 4956.
Images: Jeff Holmes
