X Factor mania has come to Weymouth Pavillion as X Factor star Andy Abraham performs at the final of the Panto Factor, crowning a graduate and cruise ship entertainer as the lucky winners of the competition to star alongside him in this year’s panto.
The Panto Factor, complete with judges, tears and eliminations has been searching locally and nationally for the panto-perfect candidates to fill the roles of Princess Apricot and Jack Trott in the Magic Beans production of Jack and the Beanstalk. The ten finalists had survived two gruelling rounds of dance, acting and singing auditions at Weymouth Pavilion and the famous Pineapple Studios in London.
The winners, Alexia Collard, 21, and Tom Riley, 22, were both delighted and stunned as their panto dreams came true. “I’m feeling really excited.” said Alexia, who is from London. “We’ve learnt so much and I feel like my skills have really grown. It’s just been an amazing experience.”
The judges, who included the producer, Jamie Alexander Wilson, all commented on the “high standard” of performances throughout the evening. Tom Riley, who will be playing Jack Trott, was impressed at the quality of talent he was up against. “The standard here was incredible. Everyone really stepped up their game.” Tom, who is from Torquay, is looking forward to spending more time in Weymouth during the Panto season. “It’s absolutely beautiful here,” he said.
Andy Abraham lightened the tense mood by performing an upbeat song from his new album Remember Me for the friends and family of the finalists. Since his X Factor success in 2005 he has released four albums and toured the country, earning him the status of a platinum selling artist.
No stranger to the tension and nerves of this type of competition, Andy was able to empathise with how the finalists were feeling. “In any competition that you’re in, when you don’t know what’s going on with the audience, you’re apprehensive; you’re nervous; you over analyse everything. I was no different when I did the X Factor.”
Whilst preparing for his first role in a pantomime, Andy is in the middle of his most recent tour, “History of the Big Bands”, which celebrates swing music from America. This is quite different from his usual soul sound: “As a vocalist, singer and entertainer, I love all types of music,” he said. His versatility will show his fans a fun side to his personality that no one has seen before in his new role in Jack and the Beanstalk as ‘King Crumble.’ “I play a single royal. I’ve got to practice my chat up lines to the dame.” He added with a smile.
Now with Sunday nights addition of the two winners of the Panto Factor, Jack and the Beanstalk is shaping up to be an entertaining and light hearted production which can be appreciated by all ages: “We want the adults to enjoy it with their kids,” said Andy. “It’s fun, laughter and something different.”
Alongside Andy, Alexia and Tom, audiences at the Weymouth Pavilion this December will also see Home and Away’s Lynne McGranger and 90s pop sensation, Lolly in starring roles. Will they be having fun? Oh yes they will!
By Sally Welbourn
