The Pantoland Diaries: An Interview with Beauty and the Beast star Jo Osmond (Cardiff)

Welcome to a new interview series called..The Pantoland Diaries, where over next coming months we chat to the stars of pantomimes playing across the country this panto season, next up we speak to Jo Osmond playing Madame Spirit - in Cardiff's New Theatre 2026/27 panto - Beauty and the Beast

Jo returns to the Cardiff New Theatre stage 19 years after appearing for the first time. Jo is well known of TikTok and has been in various pantomimes

including Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk and Aladdin.

In your own words, how would you describe Cardiff’s take on the pantomime Beauty and the Beast?

I just got the script last week and it is soooooo funny!!! We have some brilliant musical numbers and there really is something for everyone in this show. I can’t wait to start rehearsals and meet the rest of the cast!

You first performed on the New Theatre stage 19 years ago in Snow White alongside your mum and brother. How does it feel to step back into the building where it all started?

It's exceptionally special to be back on this stage! 19 years ago the professional opportunities for performers of short stature were extremely limited so when a Snow White production was announced in Cardiff I was absolutely overjoyed to have the opportunity to perform in my home town - especially to the be cast along side my mum Lisa and brother Edd. 

When I shot the promo this summer I saw that the theatre has photos on the walls from every panto company through the years and to see our photo up there from Snow White brought back so many memories and actually brought home how far I have come as an actor. 

I remember back then feeling frustrated that the only role I was ever considered for was one of the seven dwarfs and how much I longed for the opportunity to play a baddie. Now here I am 19 years later and I’m playing the villain in a show completely unrelated to my height. It’s a very full circle moment for me. 

You are stepping into the villain role as Madame Spite. How fun is it to swap being the lovable hero for someone the audience is encouraged to boo and hiss at?

It really is so good to be bad! This will be my third year playing the baddie and I live for it!!  You get to be completely outrageous, cause chaos, have fabulous costumes and encourage an entire audience to boo you. What's not to love? 

Panto depends entirely on immediate audience reactions. What is it about a Cardiff audience that makes them different – or rowdier – than audiences anywhere else in the UK you've performed at?

Cardiff audiences are certainly not shy which is perfect for pantomime and one of the great things about playing the villain is I can move away from the narrative and have banter with the audience. Every night is different which makes the experience so personal and I already know we are going to have some much fun with the Cardiff crowd this Christmas. 

Pantomimes are often the start of someone's experience of theatre. How important is it in your opinion to keep the panto tradition alive?

So important! I’m a real traditionalist at heart and I love that fact that we have pantomime in the UK. There is nothing quite like live theatre and living in the moment. Especially in this day and age when we spend so much time on devices its really refreshing to have a space where you can be entertained without staring at a screen.

With the panto performance schedule being quite demanding, sometimes with 2–3 shows a day, how do you keep yourself well, vocally and physically, throughout the busy performance schedule?

Lots of water, plenty of rest and trying to look after myself as much as possible! 

Pantomimes always deliver on modern and current references, including songs. Can you give us a hint or a taste of what this pantomime includes this year?

We have some fantastic songs this year! I’m super excited about my number in the show … Let’s say ‘It just a bunch of Hocus Pocus ….’

Can you share a favourite festive memory or tradition with us?

A tradition I have for the show is decorating my dressing room and I always theme my opening night gifts to the fairytale of the panto. 

What makes Cardiff's Beauty and the Beast the ultimate festive treat this year?

I think Beauty and the Beast is quite untraditional for a pantomime which makes it more adventurous. It’s not your basic linear fairytale, the characters are so entertaining and there are multiple storylines happening at once. It’s a visual fest and has something for everyone no matter what age you are.

How would you describe the show in one sentence or three words?

Magical, Hilarious and Timeless.

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You can catch Beauty and the Beast from New Theatre Cardiff from the 5th of December - 3rd of January: https://trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff/en-GB/event/pantomime/beauty-and-the-beast-tickets