MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, DARLINGTON’S PANTOMIME CAST IS THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL!
As the first full-scale production to play the redeveloped and renamed Darlington Hippodrome, this year’s spectacular family pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, will star Lee Ryan, Zoe Birkett, Patrick Monahan, Eric Potts and Liam Mellor in the ultimate festive treat for all ages from 9 December 2017.
Starring as the handsome Prince is boyband and television star Lee Ryan. Since joining the BRIT award-winning boyband Blue in 2001, Lee and his bandmates went on to sell over 14 million records worldwide, releasing five critically acclaimed studio albums and headlined several UK tours. In 2011, to coincide with their tenth year in the music industry, Blue represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with their entry I Can. In 2013 Blue were a featured addition to the ITV2 reality television show The Big Reunion, which culminated in a sold out performance at the Hammersmith Apollo. Lee is currently starring as Woody Woodward in EastEnders for the BBC.
Pop Idol finalist, West End leading lady and Darlington diva Zoe Birkett will star alongside him as the Wicked Queen. At 16 she auditioned for the first series of Pop Idol for ITV in 2001, finishing fourth in the competition, before continuing to carve out an extensive theatre career with leading roles in Thriller Live, Respect La Diva and as one of the principal vocalists in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre. Most recently Zoe understudied and performed the lead role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard across the UK, stunning audiences and critics alike with her vocal dexterity and stage presence.
Middlesbrough-raised funny man Patrick Monahan will star as the Wicked Queen’s bumbling Henchman. A frequent star on the comedy club and festival circuits, Patrick regularly tours the UK with his unique blend of audience interaction, animated story-telling and quick wit, which has solidified his reputation as one of the nation’s best-loved comedians. In 2011 Patrick entered the ITV stand-up comedy contest Show Me the Funny, beating off stiff competition to be crowned the winner, which led to the release of his debut DVD Patrick Monahan Live, and appearances on Let’s Dance for Comic Relief and the ITV celebrity diving show Splash!
Best-known for his role as Coronation Street’s eccentric baker Diggory Compton Eric Potts stars as Nurse Nelly. No stranger to pantomime Eric has appeared in and written numerous pantomimes over the last two decades, bringing his unique brand of comedy and showmanship, in an array of outrageous costumes to audiences’ delight. His television roles include Doctor Who, Still Game, Peak Practice and Brookside, and he regularly appears on stage across the UK in classical plays, revues and comedies. Eric will also direct this year’s pantomime.
Completing the line-up, Liam Mellor will star as Snow White’s best friend Muddles. As an actor and comedian Liam has starred in numerous stage productions including Chekov and Shakespeare at the Grange Court Theatre, appeared in the feature films Yellow Ribbon, Kick It Out and Jack Falls and numerous pantomimes across the UK.
Staged once again by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, and the team behind Darlington’s pantomimes since 1999, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will feature all of the traditional pantomime ingredients Darlington audiences have come to expect in a fantastic new production of the well-loved fairy tale when the Hippodrome reopens its doors.
Jonathan Kiley, Executive Producer for Qdos Entertainment said: “We are absolutely delighted to be the first full-scale production to open the all-new Darlington Hippodrome after its exciting building work. Darlington audiences are amongst the very best in the UK and we’re thrilled to be back with a brand-new production featuring so many star names. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will undoubtedly be the ultimate festive treat for all the family”.
Lynda Winstanley, Director of Darlington Hippodrome said “We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Lee, Zoe, Patrick, Eric and Liam will be with us for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and I am sure they will be a great hit with our audiences.”
Audiences should book now for the fairest panto of them all, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which runs from Saturday 9 December 2017 until Sunday 14 January 2018.
To book contact the Box Office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk