Event location: London Palladium. Ongoing event.
For the first time in nearly three decades, this Christmas will see the magic of pantomime come to the London Palladium with a star-studded production of Cinderella planned.
Staged by Qdos Entertainment, the world's biggest pantomime producer, Cinderella and its magical rags-to-riches tale will play from 9 December to 15 January.
The festive family show will be co-directed by Qdos' Michael Harrison, the producer behind West End hits including Gypsy and Mrs Henderson Presents, and award-winning choreographer Andrew Wright (Mrs Henderson Presents, Singin' In The Rain).
Described as a "breath-taking family extravaganza with glittering sets", the Daily Mail today reported Harrison as having commented the show would be a "spectacular production" that would be "stuffed" with stars, and feature a horse-drawn carriage and a flying sports car.
Cinderella will mark the first pantomime at the iconic venue in 29 years, following a long history from 1948 to 1987 of the theatre staging lavish traditional Christmas shows featuring the biggest stars of the day from Julie Andrews to Peter Sellers.
Commenting on the art form's return to the stunning venue, Qdos' Chairman Nick Thomas said: "Given the rich history of the London Palladium, where galaxies of top entertainers have appeared in traditional family pantomime, Qdos Entertainment is greatly honoured to have been invited to stage Cinderella at this iconic theatre.
"We are thrilled to be bringing pantomime back following an absence of nearly three decades with a sumptuous production that befits The Palladium's role as the home of pantomime in London."
When Can I Go?
9 December to 15 January.
How Does It Work?
You will receive a voucher after use. Please print and present on arrival.
Where do I go?
London Palladium - Argyll St, London W1F 7TF
Cancellation Policy
No refunds after purchase.
Cast
C I N D E R E L L A
PAUL O'GRADY, JULIAN CLARY, LEE MEAD,
PAUL ZERDIN, NIGEL HAVERS & COUNT ARTHUR STRONG
Best known as host of The Paul O'Grady Show and for helping rescue dogs in For the Love of Dogs - not to mention his acid-tongued creation Lily Savage - Paul O'Grady is returning to pantomime to play The Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella.
Julian Clary (Dandini) returns to pantomime having begun his career as a camp comic thirty years ago, and despite the fervent wishes of the general public shows no signs of slowing down. His TV debut came in 1989 with ITV quiz show Trick or Treat and Channel 4's Sticky Moments. Julian Clary is a best-selling author, a regular panelist on Radio 4's Just a Minute and is currently touring his new one man show The Joy of Mincing.
Lee Mead (Prince Charming) shot to prominence after winning the BBC series 'Any Dream Will Do' to take the role of Joseph in the West End in 2007. After a hugely successful run of West End shows he joined the cast of Casualty as Ben 'Lofty' Chiltern. Throughout this time he has also toured the country with his band, released albums and enjoyed a series of highly successful pantomimes in some of the UK's most prominent theatres. At the start of 2016 he took a break from Casualty to join a new touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the role of Caractacus Potts.
Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin (Buttons) took the US by storm when he won America's Got Talent last year, which was swiftly followed by the opening of his own residency at the legendary Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas which opened this month. Also a household name in the UK, Zerdin has appeared on The Royal Variety Performance no less than three times and was most recently seen on Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show broadcast on BBC1.
Nigel Havers (Lord Chamberlain) is one of the country's best known actors thanks to his roles in Chariots of Fire, Passage to India, Empire of The Sun, Don't Wait Up and Man Child. More recently his credits include Coronation Street, Downton Abbey, the hit BBC4 series The Life of Rock, Stop/Start for BBC Comedy Playhouse and Benidorm. His numerous West End appearances include playing Serge in both the touring and London productions of Art. Subsequently has appeared in hugely successful touring productions of Rebecca, Alan Bennett's Single Spies and Nick Fisher's comedy Basket Case, as well as several sell out seasons in pantomime. Most recently Havers reprised the role of Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest both at the Harold Pinter Theatre and on UK Tour.
Count Arthur Strong (Baron Hardup), 'show business legend', raconteur and former variety star, returns to the stage he remembers so fondly. Having launched the comedy character in 1997, Steve Delaney has turned his 'riotously funny' creation from Edinburgh cult hit into a cornerstone of BBC comedy. Over fifty episodes of Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! have been produced for BBC Radio 4 and the third series of his eponymous TV sitcom returns to BBC1 this autumn.
More announcements will be made in the near future. Please not a particular actor is never guaranteed.