PAUL MERTON TO STAR AS SARAH THE COOK
IN DICK WHITTINGTON
AT RICHMOND THEATRE THIS CHRISTMAS
SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER – SUNDAY 7 JANUARY
Richmond Theatre is pleased to announce that writer, actor, comedian, radio and television presenter Paul Merton will be stepping out from behind the iconic Have I Got News For You desk and donning the Panto Dame’s heels to star as Sarah the Cook in this year’s must-see family pantomime, Dick Whittington, from Saturday 9 December.
As one of Britain’s best-loved and most popular comedians, Paul’s career began at the infamous Comedy Store and he regularly tours the UK with Paul Merton’s Impro Chums. His television appearances on hit programmes include Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Room 101, various travelogues and documentaries and he is a regular on Radio 4 where he is now the second longest serving panelist on Just a Minute.
The BAFTA and multi-British Comedy Award winner has been a mainstay of the popular BBC news quiz Have I Got News For You since it made its television debut over thirty years ago where his dry sense of humour and quick wit solidified his reputation as one of the UK’s finest funny men. He has had several books published, including his acclaimed autobiography Only When I Laugh. Having appeared in four pantomimes recorded specifically for television broadcast in the late nineties, Dick Whittington will be Paul’s second pantomime season live on stage.
On his return to panto, Paul said: “I’m thrilled to be appearing at Richmond Theatre as Sarah the Cook, portraying the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. “
Dick Whittington is brought to you by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Crossroads Pantomimes. Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients Richmond audiences know to expect, don’t miss the action-packed pantomime that promises to be full of laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes, Michael Harrison said: “I’m delighted to be announcing such a talented comedian as the lead in our Richmond Theatre pantomime. Paul was last in panto for us back in 2018 and was an absolute hit with audiences and I know that he’s going to bring a brilliant and extremely funny Sarah The Cook to our production of Dick Whittington this year.”
Steve Joyce, Theatre Manager of Richmond Theatre, said: “We are really pleased to welcome the talented Paul Merton to our beautiful Matcham Theatre. We are confident that Richmond audiences will love what he brings to the show, and we can’t wait to see what he ‘cooks up’”.
Join Dick Whittington as he seeks fame, fortune, and happiness journeying to become Lord Mayor. Can he outwit the evil rodent King Rat and free the city from his team of revolting rodents? Find out in the ultimate magical pantomime adventure!
Further casting will be announced later in the year.