Didi Conn is The One That Brid Wants as Grease Legend Stars in Panto
Bridlington Spa has announced that Grease legend Didi Conn will star as the Fairy Godmother in this year’s magical family pantomime, Cinderella.
Known worldwide as the loveable Beauty School Dropout, Frenchy, Didi burst onto screens as the Pink Lady, with even pinker hair, in the iconic 1978 movie musical Grease. Voted no.1 in Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Film Musicals, Grease is still as popular as ever thrilling ‘Hopelessly Devoted’ fans and constantly finding news ones as it’s introduced to a whole new generation through theatre tours, sing-a-long screenings and regular TV re-runs.
Didi is the only original cast member to have appeared in all three incarnations of Grease, reprising her role as Frenchy in follow-up movie Grease 2 and coming full circle to make a touching cameo in the diner of 2016’s Live TV adaptation as Vi, giving sage advice to Carly Rae Jepsen’s Frenchy.
Away from Rydell High, Didi is fondly remembered as the bubbly Manager of Shining Time Station, Stacy Jones; a role she played for six years with the character also appearing in crossover feature film Thomas and the Magic Railroad. She also leant her inimitable voice to the role of Raggedy Ann for the animated movie Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure.
Having continued an illustrious stage and screen career, Didi was most recently seen on UK TV screens as a contestant on ITV’s hugely popular Dancing on Ice. At the age of 67, Didi was the oldest competitor in the show’s history. She delighted audiences when she donned her original Pink Ladies jacket to skate to We Go Together, still sporting a mustard stain picked up whilst filming the movie’s famous drive-in scene. Alongside her partner, professional ice skater Łukasz Różycki, she made it to week four of the competition impressing the judges and viewers alike with her infectious personality, boundless energy and incomparable showmanship.
Now, Didi will be making her pantomime debut as Cinderella’s magical Fairy Godmother as she swaps her hometown of New York for the beautiful shores of Bridlington.
Pantomime Producer Paul Holman said: “I am delighted to be bringing the magnificent Didi to Bridlington this Christmas. With her vivacious charm and exceptional talent, audiences will be hand-jiving into the New Year!”
Andrew Aldis, General Manager of Bridlington Spa said: “I believe that announcing an unexpected star name is name of the game in regional pantomime. I suspect people are reacting to this announcement with the words, ‘Frenchie from Grease? In Bridlington?’ and knowing that’s being said brings me real joy.
“Once I knew that she was coming, I showed her picture to a few people of different ages and every single one recognised her – such is the appeal of the 1978 film and her time on Dancing on Ice.
“All I can say for our Cinderella is that I hope she listens to the Fairy Godmother’s advice better than Frenchie did her guardian angel in the Beauty School Dropout number. If she doesn’t then she might not be going to a ball any time soon.”
Cinderella promises to be more spectacular than ever with lavish costumes and scenery, breathtaking special effects and side-splitting comedy capers along with all the best loved pantomime traditions, plenty of audience interaction and movie legend Didi Conn sprinkling her effervescent fairy dust over Bridlington.
Cinderella runs at Bridlington Spa from Friday 13 December 2019 to Sunday 5 January 2020. Tickets are on sale now via www.bridspa.com or at the Box Office on 01262 678258.