Month: March 2020

Shandyland

Written by Gareth Farr, Directed by Hannah Banister 

At Northern Stage 12-23 May, then touring until July 

Spanning twenty years, Shandyland is a story of life, love, death and drink at the heart of a small, northern, family-run pub, and a shout of frustration from an abandoned working class community. Shandyland opens at Northern Stage (12-23 May), and after its Newcastle premiere will tour to Everyman, Liverpool (27 May – 6 June), Oldham Coliseum Theatre (9 – 20 June) and York Theatre Royal (23 June – 4 July).Writer Gareth Farr explains, “Shandyland deals with the divisions of a community and shines a light on what is happening within our often-overlooked working class towns. It is both a drama with charm and a comedy with punch. It has the heart of the working class running all the way through it. It celebrates a cast of lively, loveable and recognisable characters and asks what has happened over the past twenty years to make them feel so angry, unheard and forgotten.”

Denise Black will play pub landlady, Sally. Denise started out with Actor’s Touring Company (ATC) in the early ‘80s performing plays around the globe, and landed her first acting break in the UK in the title role of Pam Gems’ premiere of La Pasionaria at the Newcastle Playhouse (now Northern Stage). Denise says, “I played my first ever title role in a new play on this stage in 1984. It’s where I met Josie Lawrence and Kate McKenzie and we sang on tables and became Denise Black and the Kray Sisters! You can still hear us on Spotify and iTunes! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be coming back for Shandyland.”  Probably best known for TV roles in Coronation Street, Queer as Folk and Benidorm, Denise’s theatre credits include an award winning performance as Rainey in The Cherry Orchard (Sherman Theatre, Cardiff) for which she won Best Performance in a Play at the UK Theatre Awards, Martha in Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf (Liverpool Playhouse) and title roles in Yerma and Mrs Warren’s Profession (Manchester Royal Exchange).

The cast also includes William Ash (recently seen in The Tunnel based on the original Swedish series, The Bridge, and Wanderlust with Toni Collette); Steve Huison as Brendan (Lomper in The Full Monty), Vivienne Bell as Karen (24 Hour Plays at the Old Vic and National Treasure for Channel 4); and Charlotte O’Leary as Amy (recent work includes The Witcher on Netflix and Daughterhood for Paines Plough) – please see the attached release for the full cast list.
The creative team are Director Hannah Banister – theatre credits include Things I Say When I Don’t Say I Love You (The Lowry/UK Tour); Hush (Paines Plough/Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama/Gate Theatre); Trapp (Old Vic) and Best Men (Southwark Playhouse); designer Rebecca Brower (The Last King of Scotland, Sheffield Crucible and Glass Menagerie, Arcola); lighting designer Lizzie Powell (What Girls Are Made Of, Traverse Theatre and Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, Live Theatre and UK tour); sound designer Nick John Williams (No Miracles Here, The Letter Room and The Tempest, Improbable Theatre/Oxford Playhouse/Northern Stage); and dramaturg Selma Dimitrijevic (dramaturgy work includes the Olivier-nominated Berenice for theRoyal Opera House and Sting’s musical The Last Ship for Northern Stage).

A Northern Stage co-production with Everyman, Liverpool, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Greyscale in association with Echo Presents and Matthew Schmolle Productions. Shandyland was originally developed by The Old Vic through The Old Vic 12 scheme which aims to nurture and develop the next generation of theatre practitioners.

Shandyland opens in Newcastle in May 2020 before going on tour until the end of July. For more information or to book tickets visit www.northernstage.co.uk or call 0191 230 5151.

Jack Studio Theatre -until 14 March 2020

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Corey Bovell’s story of a summer of change in Lewisham is a fast paced and heartfelt joy.

It’s 2009, and the long summer holidays as Corey waits for his A level results begin as a carefree routine of hanging around the local Morley’s chicken shop with his mates. They play the slots, pinch each other’s chips, rapping and on the lookout for girls. When Corey meets Jodie outside the chicken shop, his expectations and fear of change are challenged as they begin to talk honestly about the future and what is holding him back.

Bovell’s writing and performance are sharp, accessible and witty, creating recognisable characters and situations that had the young audience giggling and nodding along. This is a story about real lives and real issues that have a huge impact on our borough. The impact of gentrification, axing of youth and community services, stigmatising and labelling of black youth as gang members, and knife crime are all part of Corey’s life and worries, and Bovell voices the teenager’s concerns and fear with righteous frustration and anger. From Corey’s hardworking Pops, with his mantra “Go Work or go uni” to his mate Shaun, excluded from school instead of helped, written off by the system and idolising his uncle after the death of his father, these are men we all know, and Bovell weaves them into his story skilfully and naturally. The final tragedy is signposted early on as Shaun confronts and humiliated the person who stitched on his uncle, but the innocence and youth of Corey’s character allows his sweeping away of this ominous incident as everyday life continues, and the audience gets carried away on his excitement as well.

Director Kwame Asiedu ensures Bovell’s verbal and physical dynamism lead the audience through Corey’s world with clarity, with some good use of voiceovers and audience interaction, and the sobering ending effortlessly reminds us of the untold and unfulfilled promise lost with every death.

Chicken Burger n Chips has so much to say to so many people, a story that needs to be heard told with passion, intelligence, wit and a lot of love for Lewisham Borough.

The Hippodrome, Bristol – 12 March 2020

Review by Josie Aburrow Smith

4****

The Marriage of Figaro is a comic opera in four acts composed in 1786 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and written by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It all takes place on a single day, the wedding day of Figaro and Susanna who are servants to the Count Almaviva. He is determined to foil their efforts and seduce Susanna. It is not just about Figaro and Susanna’s wedding but three others too. There are mistaken identities and many twists and turns.

The women are portrayed as being wiser and more civilized than the men.

The Welsh National Opera deliver this opera with great style. It is a period set production with some opulent and beautiful costumes by Sue Blane. The late stage designer Ralph Koltai designed the sets and feature revolving panels that move around to make small and large spaces.

They are beautifully reflective and the Contessa’s bedroom scene is particularly luxurious: at the start of act 2 she is singing facing her wall and we see her reflection in striking light.

The cast is an exceptional ensemble. David Ireland performs the title role, while Soraya Mafi plays Susanna and Jonathan McGovern is Count Almaviva. I particularly enjoyed Anita Watson as the Contessa. She was a delight to watch.

The Orchestra played wonderfully and were led by the Conductor Carlo Rizzi. It was a delight to see an orchestra who were enjoying it and smiling at some of the comic moments. The harpsichord player Frederic Brown deserves a special mention.

You can watch this captivating performance at the Mayflower in Southampton, Liverpool Empire Theatre, Milton Keynes theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Norwich Theatre Royal and the Birmingham Hippodrome.

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – 12 MARCH 2020

REVIEWED BY ANGELOS SPANTIDEAS

4****

The Turn of the Screw is a chilling horror opera, based loosely on a real ghost story that was told to Henry James. On the stage real world and fantasy are intertwined, in an elegant and refined set, with the lights and symphonies creating the right atmosphere for each scene which heighten the emotions of suspense the cast invokes on the audience. The makeup and stage effects do not disappoint into convincing, that the cast is experiencing real danger.

Sarah Tynan’s governess is a powerful performance of artistry and talent, while despite their age, Jennifer Clark and Tim Gasiorek, as Flora and Miles, are brilliant and their singing and acting is far beyond their age. Heather Shipp as Mrs Grose complements every scene and adds to the quality of the opera with her amazing vocals, while the contribution of the remaining of the cast being crucial to the conveying of the opera’s message.

Overall, as the opera unfolds, the audience has the opportunity to experience feelings of agony among with the characters with the aesthetics of each scene adding to the whole experience and supporting the dark theme of a thriller opera.

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – UNTIL 14 MARCH 2020

REVIEWED BY ANGELOS SPANTIDEAS

4*****

The Marriage of Figaro’s story is around the different love interests of various, and although composed by Mozard in 1786 and theme remains very entertaining, as human lust, passion and love are supposed to be. Phillip Rhodes’ Figaro is very pleasant and amusing, with a lot of young passion and quirkiness, while his onstage love interest, Sussanna, by Fflur Wyn, comes across as a cunning and resourceful woman, who knows how to use her personality to get out of difficult situations, or to achieve the outcome she wants.

Count and Countess Almaviva, by Quirijn de Lang and Máire Flavin, use their powerful characters to depict how upper-class people of that era used to live amongst their many servants, while their characters hint how people of power behaved, showing in many scenes their more delicate features.

The remaining of the cast and characters play a very significant role in the unfolding of the story keeping with many charming characters such the mischievous and refreshing Cherumbino, with Heather Lowe being an excellent and spirited gender non-conforming choice.

The costumes were absolutely brilliant, made with attention to detail helping enact and provide authenticity to the depiction of the era, while the set changes and makes the audience feel like walking though a real aristocratic house

STELLAR NO LIMITS SONG-CYCLE CAST HEAD TO THE OTHER PALACE

NO LIMITS, an exciting, brand-new song-cycle by Sam Thomas featuring a stellar cast, will run in the Studio at The Other Palace from Monday 20^th April – Sunday 26^th April.  

NO LIMITS shatters the notion of falling behind in life and follows characters as they dare to believe in themselves and strive for a better tomorrow. A show with heart, humour and a message we should all take on board… “Know no limits!”

Following its successful run at Camden Fringe 2019, the show has grown bigger and better and is similar in concept to Songs for a New World but with a more “Pasek & Paul” sounding score. 

Accompanied by a live band.  Don’t miss out.  Runs for one week only. 

Join the fabulous cast…..

CAST:

Aoife Clesham; Maison Kelley; Georgia Gagen; Luke Bayer; Bree Smith; Michael Mather & Katie Ramshaw will be performing a host of catchy and relatable new tunes.  The show is will chime in particular with modern musical theatre lovers.

CREATIVES:

Music and Lyrics by Sam Thomas
Orchestration by Ben Jones
Direction by Amy Petts
Musical direction by Connagh Tonkinson
Assistant direction by Yusuf Niazi
Stage design by Justin Williams.

RUNS FROM: Monday 20^th April – Sunday 26^th April

TICKETS:

Tickets are £24 and are on sale online at: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/no-limits-a-song-cycle/

Box Office: 020 7087 7900

Age Guidance: 16+ (contains strong language and sex references)

TWITTER: @NoLimitsMusical

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/NoLimitsSongCycle/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nolimits.songcycle

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR ACTING FOR OTHERS’ GOLDEN BUCKET AWARDS 2020

Theatrical charity, Acting for Others today announces the winners for the Golden Bucket Awards 2020. The ceremony took place at the Prince of Wales Theatre and was hosted by Carl Mullaney. The awards celebrate the most supportive and successful fundraisers who have helped the charity raise £357,163 in the last twelve months both through bucket collections across UK theatres and a variety of events throughout the year.

The awards were attended by nominees and friends of the charity including Christopher Biggins, Richard Clifford, Brian Conley, Raj Ghatak, Irvine Iqbal, Sir Derek Jacobi, Bonnie Langford, Dame Monica Mason and Harriet Thorpe.

Stephen Waley-Cohen, said today, “We were delighted to see so many of our supporters at the Acting for Others’ Golden Bucket Awards today. They all play a great part in the work we do, just like our Ambassadors, who act as our extra eyes and ears to help us reach those in theatre world that need us the most.

A huge thank you to all of the theatre staff, performers and the wonderful general public, whose generosity fills the buckets. With a special thank you to the theatre managers, company managers and all of those performers up and down the country who make the curtain speech after the show. A magnificent £357,163 was raised in 2019, which enables us to help so many theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities.

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners today and thank you to all our advocates nationwide for all you do for Acting for Others.”

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

IT STARTS WITH A SPEECH

Presented by Irvine Iqbal

This award is for those that made the speech night after night encouraging audiences to donate, making a huge impact during the Bucket Collections in 2019.

Winner: Ashley Zhangazha

FABULOUS FUNDRAISING AWARD

Presented by Harriet Thorpe

This award is for the most inventive way of fundraising for Acting for Others.

Winner: Richard Carson

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Presented by Raj Ghatak

This category is for those supporters that have spread the ‘Acting for Others’ message in person, on social media and always make a noise about our campaigns.

Joint Winners: Wendi Peters, Matthew Kelly and Harriet Thorpe

SUPERSTAR AWARD

Presented by Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen

This is the award for someone that has gone above and beyond with their support for Acting for Others.

Winner: Fernando Peire

FANTASTIC FRONT OF HOUSE AWARD

Presented by Christopher Biggins

The generosity and dedication from the theatre management and front of house staff are invaluable. They are there for us coordinating the team and ready with the collection buckets each night.

Winners: Phoenix Theatre

THE GOLDEN BUCKET AWARD – REGIONAL

Presented by Billy Differ

This is the regional theatre that raised the most in the 2019 theatre collections.

Winner: Edinburgh Playhouse – The King and I

THE GOLDEN BUCKET AWARD – LONDON

Presented by Sir Derek Jacobi

This is the London theatre that raised the most in the 2019 theatre collections.

Winner: The Prince of Wales Theatre – The Book of Mormon

Royal and Derngate, Northampton – until 21 March 2020

Reviewed by Megan Raynor

4****

‘Told by an idiot’ present The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel, the tale of the legendary figures of comedy on their voyage overseas from the UK to The Big Apple. True is the fact that these two men did venture across the sea in 1910, as part of Fred Karno’s music hall troupe, but this company as described by director Paul Hunter values ‘fiction over fact’ – an experimental but silent recipe of two comedy icons, a boat and bucket load of play.

Fleeting moments of Chaplin (Amalia Vitale) and Laurel’s (Jerone Marsh-Reid) past and future are woven into the piece in short sketches. We meet Charlie’s vibrant but deeply suffering mother Hannah (Sara Alexander) and are shot a glimpse of her and Charlie’s doting but complex relationship, concreted by their shared joy for music. Ollie is not forgotten about, with a pillow up the shirt and a small black square of tash stuck under his nose, Nick Haverson’s transition into embodiment of Hardy was effortlessly accurate and heart-warming. These interjections of past and future make for an incoherent structure, which at times was confusing to follow particularly with the very limited spoken words, but added to the company’s sense of false reality. Each sequence is to be appreciated as a separate entity.

Amalia Vitale’s Chaplin was exquisite; the vibrancy of her facial expressions, her subdued but charming addresses to the audience and the absolute lightness and precision she brought to the choreography made her a pleasure to watch. Sara Alexander likewise brought complete precision to her piano underscore (composed by Zara Rahman), a complex score synchronised effortlessly to the complex choreography – nothing less than slick. (I can also confirm that Alexander was scoring completely without sheet music after I made my Royal and Derngate debut as piano player #2)

Ioana Curelea’s multi-platform and multi-faceted staging provided the perfect playground to the farce. Sliding down the fireman’s pole, swinging in the wooden cabin beds, tumbling over the wooden decks; it was a piece almost always in motion, allowing the chosen moments of stillness to carry greater poignancy.

The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel is a charming escape, a step back in time to an era of comedy that values playfulness above all else.

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

STRICTLY COME DANCING‘S

KEVIN CLIFTON TO STAR AS SCOTT HASTINGS IN

2020/2021 UK & IRELAND TOUR

DIRECTED BY CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD

Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Kevin Clifton is to star in the 2020/2021 UK & Ireland tour of Baz Luhrmann’s smash hit Strictly Ballroom The Musical, playing the lead role of Scott Hastings. After seven glorious years on Strictly Come Dancing, last week Kevin announced his departure from the series and now he makes a full-time move into the world of musical theatre in a role that couldn’t be more perfectly suited.

Kevin Clifton said: “I’m beyond excited to be finally fulfilling a lifelong ambition to play Scott Hastings in Strictly Ballroom The Musical. When I was 10 years old I first watched the movie that would become my favourite film of all time. This is my dream role. Plus I get to work with Craig Revel Horwood again! I really can’t wait to don the golden jacket and waltz all over the UK from September this year in what’s set to be an incredible show!

The musical is based on the award-winning global film phenomenon, ‘Strictly Ballroom’, which inspired the world to dance. Directed by Craig Revel Horwood, this all-singing, all-dancing and all-glittering show is set to dazzle audiences once more with the new 2020/21 tour. Kicking off in Nottingham on 26 September, the musical will then waltz around the UK & Ireland before culminating in Reading in June 2021. Tickets are on sale now from strictlyballroomtour.co.uk

Kevin joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, performing in the final five times and was crowned Strictly Champion in 2018. He’s a world-class professional dancer, former Youth World Number One and four-time British Latin Champion and has won international open titles all over the world. After making his West End musical theatre debut in 2010 in Dirty Dancing, Kevin has starred in The Wedding Singer as Robbie Hart (Wembley Troubadour Park Theatre) as well as starring in the West End production of Rock of Ages as Stacie Jaxx.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical tells the beguiling story of Scott Hastings, a talented, arrogant and rebellious young ballroom dancer. When Scott’s radical dance moves see him fall out of favour with the Australian Federation, he finds himself dancing with Fran, a beginner with no moves at all. Inspired by one another, this unlikely pair gather the courage to defy both convention and their families – and discover that, to be winners, the steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom.

Featuring a show-stopping book by Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce, and bringing together a sublime cast of over 20 world class performers, Strictly Ballroom brings to life iconic songs, including Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time with dynamic and joyous verve. This tour will also feature some amazing new songs by internationally acclaimed artists including Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect. The show’s scintillating singing, dazzling dancing and eye-popping costumes will combine together to bring audiences a story of heart, comedy and drama, and promises to be an unforgettable night under the glitter ball.

This uplifting and courageous musical originated as a stage play that Baz Luhrmann devised with a group of classmates at Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1984. Eight years later he made his screen directorial debut with ‘Strictly Ballroom’, the first instalment in Luhrmann’s acclaimed Red Curtain Trilogy. The vibrant film enjoyed staggering success, winning three awards at the 1993 BAFTA awards and a 1994 Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture, going on to become one of the most successful Australian films of all time, earning more than $80 million at the box office. In April 2014 Strictly Ballroom The Musical had its world premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical is a fabulous, feel-good evening full of sequins, singing and salsa. This unmissable kaleidoscope of glitz and glamour is a tonic for the soul and will send your heart soaring and toes tapping long after you leave the theatre!

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL – 2020 TOUR DATES

26/09/2020 – 03/10/2020 Nottingham Theatre Royal

05/10/2020 – 10/10/2020 Wolverhampton Grand

12/10/2020 – 17/10/2020 Hull New Theatre

20/10/2020 – 24/10/2020 Milton Keynes Theatre

26/10/2020 – 31/11/2020 Sunderland Empire

02/11/2020 – 07/11/2020 Bristol Hippodrome

09/11/2020 – 14/11/2020 Bromley Churchill Theatre

16/11/2020 – 21/11/2020 Edinburgh Playhouse

23/11/2020 – 28/11/2020 York Grand Opera House

30/11/2020 – 05/12/2020 Salford The Lowry

21/12/2020 – 02/01/2021 Guildford G Live

STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL – 2021 TOUR DATES

04/01/2021 – 09/01/2021 Northampton Royal & Derngate

11/01/2021 – 16/01/2021 Southend Cliffs Pavilion

18/01/2021 – 23/01/2021 Norwich Theatre Royal – On sale soon

25/01/2021 – 30/01/2021 Llandudno Venue Cymru

01/02/2021 – 06/02/2021 Aylesbury Waterside

08/02/2021 – 13/02/2021 Darlington Hippodrome

15/02/2021 – 20/02/2021 Newcastle Theatre Royal

22/02/2021 – 27/02/2021 Wimbledon New Theatre

01/03/2021 – 06/03/2021 Bournemouth Pavilion

08/03/2021 – 13/03/2021 Dublin Bord Gais – On sale soon

15/03/2021 – 20/03/2021 Derry Millennium Forum Theatre

22/03/2021 – 27/03/2021 Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre

29/03/2021 – 03/04/2021 Peterborough New Theatre

05/04/2021 – 10/04/2021 Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre

12/04/2021 – 17/04/2021 Sheffield Lyceum – On sale soon

19/04/2021 – 24/04/2021 Glasgow Kings Theatre

26/04/2021 – 01/05/2021 Liverpool Empire

03/05/2021 – 08/05/2021 Canterbury Marlowe

10/05/2021 – 15/05/2021 Birmingham Hippodrome

17/05/2021 – 22/05/2021 Plymouth Theatre Royal – On sale soon

24/05/2021 – 29/05/2021 Blackpool Opera House

31/05/2021 – 05/06/2021 Bradford The Alhambra Theatre – On sale soon

07/06/2021 – 12/06/2021 Southampton Mayflower

14/06/2021 – 19/06/2021 Ipswich Regent

21/06/2021 – 26/06/2021 Reading The Hexagon

MORE TOUR DATES WILL TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Listings information:

Website: strictlyballroomtour.co.uk

Instagram: @strictlyballroomtouruk

Facebook: @strictlyballroomtouruk

Twitter: @sbtourUK

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES…

ULTIMATE SHOWMAN JOHN BARROWMAN TO STAR IN THIS YEAR’S UNMISSABLE PANTOMIME AT THE BRISTOL HIPPODROME

The Bristol Hippodrome has announced that the much-loved actor, singer, presenter, author, judge and all-round showman John Barrowman will headline this year’s spectacular family pantomime as the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from Saturday 5 December for a strictly limited four-week season.

On television, John has presented and appeared on numerous programmes and was most recently a popular contestant on the 18th series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Having also appeared in the first ever series of ITV’s Dancing on Ice, John most recently returned to the rink as a judge alongside Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo, a role he will reprise when the hit show returns for its 13th series in January 2021.

The star of numerous musicals, both in the West End and on Broadway, John has appeared in legendary productions including Anything Goes opposite Elaine Paige, Sunset Boulevard with Betty Buckley, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago and The Fix, for which he was nominated for a Lawrence Olivier Award for his performance. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will also see John return to wearing heels having also starred in the revival of La Cage aux Folles in London where he played the dual role of Albin and Zaza to great critical acclaim.

As an actor John is best-known for his iconic role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who for the BBC, a role that proved so popular he became the leading role in its spin-off series, Torchwood, which made John a household name. He has also starred in Desperate Housewives and as Malcolm Merlyn in the acclaimed US television shows Arrow , Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, based on the DC Comic. He also appears in the feature films De-Lovely , The Producers and Zero Dark Thirty.

As a recording artist, John released numerous hit albums, including the hugely popular ‘Another Side’ and ‘Music, Music, Music’, and his most recent festive recording ‘A Fabulous Christmas’. He has also toured his albums extensively across the UK and features on several original cast recordings. John also released two autobiographies, Anything Goes and I Am What I Am, and released hugely popular works of fiction including Captain Jack and the Selkie, based on his popular Torchwood character, The Dark Archer for DC comics and the fantasy novels Hollow Earth, The Bone Quill, The Book of Beasts and Conjuror, a young adult series he writes with his sister Carole Barrowman.

This year’s pantomime marks John’s triumphant return to panto-land, having starred in numerous festive productions for producers Qdos Entertainment, including a record-breaking five years at Glasgow’s SEC and, more recently, playing the title role in Dick Whittington at Birmingham Hippodrome and Manchester Opera House.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will see John strut his stilettos as panto-land’s ultimate villain, the Wicked Queen, who will dazzle in an array of stunning costumes and show Bristol his real mettle as he tries to outwit the fair Snow White and prove to the world that he is the fairest of them all.

Qdos Entertainment Managing Director Michael Harrison said: “Without any doubt, John is one of the UK’s most talented and best-loved showmen. Not only can he sing, dance and act, he’s wonderful in pantomime, and we can’t wait to work with him once again.”

John Barrowman said: “I am thrilled to be starring in Snow White this Christmas, and especially delighted and pleased to be able to perform in Bristol at the Hippodrome. I have family in Bristol and it will feel just like home. I can’t wait to dig out the heels and be a Fabulous Wicked Queen”.

Tickets for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are selling fast, so audiences shouldn’t leave it any longer to secure their seats for this year’s unmissable Hippodrome panto, or they won’t be able to look themselves in the mirror!