Stevi Ritchie will be spending the festive season playing Gaston in Beauty and the Beast at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft for their pantomime, a role Stevi played last year at Bridlington Spa. Beauty and the Beast opens on Thursday 12th December, running until Wednesday 1st January, and Stevi will be playing the pantomime villain alongside a cast including Sabrina Washington as the Witch Mauvaise. In 2017, Stevi made his musical theatre debut in The Sword and the Dope opposite Stacey McClean at Waterloo East Theatre, and he has previously been a contestant on The X Factor in 2014 and Celebrity Big Brother the following year. As a singer, Stevi released a Christmas single in 2023 called It’s Magic at Christmas in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. We found out from Stevi about playing Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, being part of the cast of the Marina Theatre’s pantomime, being a contestant on The X Factor in 2014 and releasing his Christmas single in 2023.

In this year’s pantomime of Beauty and the Beast at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft, you will be playing Gaston, is there anything you enjoy most about performing in pantomimes?

I’ve done pantomimes for 16 years now and I absolutely love it. I love the thrill of being on stage and playing a character, it’s so amazing.

Having played Gaston last year in Bridlington Spa, how does it feel to be returning to the role and what is the character like to play?

I absolutely love playing Gaston as he’s fun and a villain and loves himself, and I can just be me, lol.

What can audiences expect from your portrayal of Gaston and how are you preparing for this year’s run?

Audiences can expect the unexpected and guaranteed laughter and, of course, seeing my humour.

I’ve been preparing mentally, physically and vocally, I can’t wait.

What was it like meeting the cast for the first time and what are you looking forward to for opening at the Marina Theatre on Thursday 12th December?

Meeting all the cast was amazing and I love them all. They’re such a talented bunch of people. I’m so looking forward to the 12th December, it’s going to be fantastic.

How do you find the experience interacting with families during the show as the pantomime villain?

I absolutely love the boos and interacting, it’s the best ever, especially playing the villain.

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Beauty and the Beast in Lowestoft this Christmas?

It’s the best show and you will have the best time.

You made your musical theatre debut in 2017 in The Sword and the Dope opposite Stacey McClean at the Waterloo East Theatre, what was the show like to be part of?

I played the Prince and had some big big songs, and Stacey was brilliant. I loved being in that musical.

Can you tell us about your 2023 Christmas single – It’s Magic at Christmas, which you released in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, and what was it like to record?

I loved getting to record the song for Great Ormond Street Hospital, it was an honour and it’s such a catchy tune.

How did you find the experience being a contestant on Series 16 of Celebrity Big Brother in 2015?

Great experience and nice to be a part of such an iconic, awesome show.

What are some of your stand-out memories from your time on The X Factor in 2014?

Having dinner with Simon Cowell. All of it was the best time of my life. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Where does your love of performing come from and how did you get into it?

Been performing since I was 15 years old when I was Kenickie in my school production of Grease and that’s when I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch and music artists to listen to?

I love Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, they are my faves. I love listening to Elvis and Queen.

How do you like to spend your time away from your performing career?

At home and in the gym.

What are you hoping 2025 brings for you and do you have any further projects coming up that you can share?

We will see what happens, lol.

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