A MAGNIFICENT pantomime season looks set to make way for a spring of star attractions at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl. Aladdin was a huge hit with Visitor readers, one of the finest pantomimes the East Parade venue has ever staged. So how will they top that? Well, Paul Potts arrives tomorrow for a two-day spell on the coast. It’s actually the opening night of his first ever tour, having won Britain’s Got Talent last year. Paul is followed by Blodwen on February 2, before Barney the dinosaur rocks up in Rhyl on February 11. It’s always nice to share your toys – but in a rush to share their favourite toys with the audience, Barney’s friends BJ, Riff and Baby Bop accidentally break them. As always, Barney finds the bright lining behind the dark cloud – he’ll take the little dinos, and the audience to a marvellous, magical toy factory where the toys can be repaired by the Imagination Machine – a fantastic device powered by children’s imagination. The show includes 90 minutes of song, dance and fun, a theme prevalent in This Is Soul, featuring legends Geno Washington, Eddie Floyd, Pauline Bell and The Ram Jam Band. The above artists all performed on the now legendary album of the same name, which is still the world’s biggest-selling soul record. Collectively, their hits featured for 132 weeks on the UK singles charts and include such classics as Knock On Wood, Things Get Better, Melting Pot, Good Morning Freedom and Banner Man. Geno Washington first came to Britain in the 1960s and made his name as the definitive king of soul. His high energy gigs left you breathless and demanding more. Eddie Lloyd is a member of the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and has written songs for himself and other artists including Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. This Is Soul will be performing at the Pav on February 8. On February 24, following appearances by Westenders and Off The Wall, Basil Brush stars in Basil of the Caribbean. Basil has taken to the high seas and will be sailing over to the theatre with an all-star cast. They and the audience will go on a swashbuckling boom-tastic adventure on the deserted tropical island of Coco-loco to search for the precious lost treasure - The Golden Jelly Belly. With buckets of audience participation, join in the treasure hunt with singing and dancing, games, magic and loads of laughs. But keep an eye out for the pirates – Ooh Arrrr! Next up are The Sounds of the Glen Miller era. The lights soften, the mood settles. An audience waits for that first moment of sound. The Big Band is poised, relaxed, but with eyes anxious for the lead. Then, as if giving body to echo, the murmured notes of Moonlight Serenade …and the night, it seems, is suddenly full and timeless. Recapture the sounds and memories of a bygone era as Nick Ross Orchestra present "an unmissable evening of music and song" – the Classic Big Band Sound of the 1940s, on February 29. Then comes Bjorn Again, on March 6, the Abba tribute group which has reached a huge milestone. Well, almost! Join in the fun on the band’s 19th anniversary tour, which promises to be a fantastic night out for everyone. Bjorn Again was created in 1988 by Australian musician and manager Rod Leissle. The show quickly achieved worldwide cult status and has 4,000 performances in 51 countries in 19 years. Book your tickets now to see the closest thing to the Swedish supergroup you will ever experience. And now for the big one – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, starring in a selection of stars from the TV talent show, Any Dream Will Do. The show runs from March 24 to March 29, and audiences will undoubtedly recognise the young man in the leading role. Craig Chalmers, 25, was one of the most popular finalists in the hit BBC series, watched by millions every Saturday night. The show was produced to find a leading man for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new West End production, and Craig, chosen from tens of thousands of wannabes, charmed audiences week after week with his vocal talents, finishing in the top five. Bill Kenwright, one of the most successful and prolific producers in British theatre today, (whose current hit West End shows include the musicals Blood Brothers, Cabaret and acclaimed drama The Letter), was on the expert panel judges alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber, Denise Van Outen and John Barrowman and is delighted that Craig is taking on the leading role. Over the coming months there will also be appearances from PJ Proby, The Counterfeit Police, Lena Martell, Colin Fry, and Joe Longthorne, who began his career over three decades ago with appearances on Junior Showtime, followed by a grounding on the tough Northern club circuit. Joe’s big break came in 1981 when he was a finalist on London Weekend Television’s Search for a Star – this led to appearances at the London Palladium with Bob Hope and The Talk of the Town. A short time later, Joe received the Variety Club of Britain award as Most Promising Artiste of the Year. Television specials in the UK and USA followed. Joe’s repertoire of voices is endless and includes hundreds of the world’s top singers, however, he is perhaps best known for his impersonation of Shirley Bassey who has commented: "Joe can do me better than I can do myself". Add to this a gripping production of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, starring nasty Trevor ("Do you like gravy, Mo?") from Eastenders, aka Alex Ferns, and you have a line-up that’s not to be missed. Theatre manager Gareth Owen says tickets are already selling well for many of these performances and is confident the spring season will be one of their best yet. For tickets and information about the upcoming shows call 01745 330000 or book online at www.rhylpavilion.co.uk | 
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