A PANTOMIME cast visited hospice patients in costume – oh yes they did!
Patients at the Marie Curie Cardiff and the Vale Hospice on Bridgeman Road, Penarth, met cast from the Crossroads Pantomimes production of Sleeping Beauty – including Prince Gethin, also known as TV presenter Gethin Jones and broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans who plays the Spirit of Pantomime.
Cardiff’s best-loved panto dame Mike Doyle also visited as Nurse Nellie, with returning stars Jack Ryan and Jalisa Phoenix-Roberts as Muddles and Carabosse, and Welsh musical theatre star Emma Kirk as Princess Aurora.
Between performances on Friday, the busy cast popped by the Penarth hospice, which provides round-the-clock expert care and support for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
Gethin, who also visited the hospice last year in his panto role, said: “We were delighted to be able to come back to visit after we had such a wonderful time last year.
“We know how difficult Christmas can be for people dealing with illness at end of life, and their families, so to be able to bring a sprinkling of festive magic to patients, staff and visitors is such an important part of our time in panto.
“Seeing the amazing care provided by Marie Curie Nurses and staff again, and hearing the impact our visit had last year, is inspiring.”
Marie Curie Clinical Lead for Hospice services in Wales, Helen Cosh, said: “We try to do as much as we can to make sure Christmas continues to be a special occasion for the patients we care for, and their families, leading up to the big day – and on Christmas Day itself.
“We are so grateful to everyone who visits the hospice around this period to provide our patients – and our staff – with a little entertainment.
“Thank you to the cast of Sleeping Beauty for coming along and spreading some festive cheer.”
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity and is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, campaigning to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience.
The charity’s Information and Support Line will have extended opening hours over Christmas. The Support Line will be open from 10am to 4pm on Christmas Eve and from 10am to 2pm on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. On New Years’s Eve it will open from 10am to 4pm, and 10am to 2pm again on New Year’s Day. If you need support, call 0800 090 2309.
For full details about Sleeping Beauty (Tuesday, December 16 – Sunday, January 4) and to book tickets visit the New Theatre Cardiff website or call the Box Office on 0343 310 0041. The show runs until 4 January.
Donate to Marie Curie today to give care, comfort and joy this Christmas: Donate | Marie Curie
