
Episode 136 - David Ashley
Episode 136 – David Ashley: Four Decades as a Pantomime Dame In Episode 136 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined by one of the UK's most respected performers, directors and educators – David Ashley

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Hosted by Imagine Theatre · 🇺🇸 US · EN-GB · 138 episodes
Established thought leaders with verified media credentials.
Just Imagine – a podcast series from Imagine Theatre , one of the world’s leading producers of professional pantomime. With over 250 productions to their name, Imagine are true experts in this uniquely British theatrical tradition. Join host Martin Ballard as we go behind the scenes to meet the people who bring the magic to life – discovering their stories, their roles, and answering that all-important question: what do they do for the rest of the year ? Along the way, we’ll explore the pantomime genre itself – its quirks, its history, and why it continues to delight audiences across the UK. Whether you’re a panto fan, theatre lover, or just curious about what it takes to stage hundreds of shows at once, Just Imagine offers a fun and fascinating listen.
Imagine Theatre hosts Just Imagine, a arts show with 138 episodes published.

Episode 136 – David Ashley: Four Decades as a Pantomime Dame In Episode 136 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined by one of the UK's most respected performers, directors and educators – David Ashley

Episode 135 – The Comic: The Heart of Pantomime with Joe Pasquale & Liam Dolan What makes a great pantomime comic? In Episode 135 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined by two of the UK's most experie

Episode 134 – Richard Cadell: Magic, Sooty and the Magic of Pantomime In Episode 134 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined by one of British entertainment's most recognisable performers – illusionist

Just Imagine Podcast – Episode 133: A Year in the Life of a Pantomime Producer (Part 2) In Episode 133 of the Just Imagine podcast, host Martin Ballard is joined once again by Imagine Theatre's Joint CEO, Business & Mark

Episode 132 – Building a Greener Future for Pantomime Released during Great Big Green Week 2026, Episode 132 of the Just Imagine Podcast sees host Martin Ballard joined by Imagine Theatre Joint CEO Sarah Boden and Operat

Episode 131 of the Just Imagine Podcast features pantomime writer, producer, director and dame Brad Fitt. Host Martin Ballard chats to Brad about his lifelong love of theatre, which began with childhood visits to the pan

Episode 130 of the Just Imagine Podcast takes a closer look at one of pantomime’s most colourful and fast-growing titles — Goldilocks and the Three Bears . Host Martin Ballard is joined by Scottish actor, singer and dire

Episode 129 – Live from the UK Pantomime Awards 2026! In this episode of the Just Imagine Podcast , Martin takes you right to the heart of the action at the UK Pantomime Awards 2026 – the biggest night in the panto calen

Martin is joined by panto comic Ste Johnston Laughter, graft and life behind the greasepaint take centre stage in this episode of Just Imagine . Martin sits down with Ste Johnston , the much‑loved panto comic, for a bril

In Episode 127 of the Just Imagine Podcast, Martin sits down with Lighting Designer Matt Ladkin to explore the creative and technical craft behind lighting that truly transforms spaces and experiences. Matt shares his jo

Featuring BBC Radio’s Richie Anderson This week on Just Imagine , Martin is joined by the brilliantly energetic and endlessly warm Richie Anderson , BBC Radio presenter and much‑loved personality from The One Show and BB

This bonus episode of the Just Imagine Podcast has been released to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week. In this special conversation, Martin Ballard chats with actor and director Jason Marc-Williams about neurodiversit

Welcome to Episode 125 of the Just Imagine podcast – and the start of something brand new. This week marks the first instalment of our brand-new series, “A Year in the Life of a Producer.” Over the coming months, we’ll b

This week on the Just Imagine Podcast , we’re joined by a true British screen and stage favourite – Sue Holderness ! Best known to millions as Marlene Boyce in Only Fools and Horses , Sue has enjoyed a remarkable career

After producing 21 Christmas shows across the UK, Imagine Theatre Joint CEO's Sarah and Steve Boden sit down with Martin to reflect on the 2025/2026 season. They reflect on the scale of the season just gone and look ahea

This week, Martin is joined by two much-loved faces of the Royal Spa Centre pantomime, JP McCue and Sean Dodds , as they take their final bows after a decade of starring in the pantomime each year in Leamington Spa. In t

This week, Martin is joined by comedy legend Andy Ford—a true stalwart of British entertainment. Starting in show business at a young age, Andy starred on Jonathan Ross’s Big Big Talent Show in 1997, before going on to a

This week on the podcast, Martin is joined by the fabulous Suzanne Shaw , currently appearing as Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington at De Montfort Hall, Leicester . Suzanne is a true all-rounder with an exceptionally var

This week, Martin is joined by the brilliant Elaine C. Smith , a true icon of Scottish showbusiness with a career spanning more than 40 years. Elaine is best known for her standout roles in City Lights , Rab C. Nesbitt ,

Simon Sladen and David Ashley join Martin on the podcast this week for another deep dive into a classic pantomime title — this time, Aladdin . First staged at Covent Garden in 1788, Aladdin has become one of the most fre
Suzanne Shaw
1 appearance on this show
Jenny Ryan
1 appearance on this show
AJ Pritchard
1 appearance on this show
Curtis Pritchard
1 appearance on this show
Sam Bailey
innovator in design and technology
1 appearance on this show
Mark Walters
Set and Costume Designer
1 appearance on this show
Eric Potts
Imagine
1 appearance on this show
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Just Imagine is hosted by Imagine Theatre. The show is categorised under arts (performing) and has published 138 episodes.
Just Imagine has published 138 episodes.
Just Imagine regularly covers arts, performing, visual. It sits in the arts category, with a performing focus.
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