Philip Martin Brown, best known for playing irritable teacher Grantly Budgen in the BBC TV series Waterloo Road, is to play Abanazar in Mansfield Palace Theatre’s Christmas 2015 production Aladdin.
Brown appeared in nine series of the school drama. He has played villains and police officers in television series including Minder, The Paradise Club and City Central. While playing Andy Barras in The Sharp End, he was described as “the best villain since J R Ewing”.
He said, “I'm really looking forward to coming to Mansfield this Christmas. I love doing panto—there's no fooling the kids! If it's a bad show they'll let you know and if it’s great—apparently I’ll be deaf!”
Children’s TV presenter Gemma Naylor will play Princess Jasmine and Chris Edgerley will be Aladdin. Mark James takes the role of Wishee Washee and David Rumelle is Widow Twankey
Aladdin runs at Mansfield Palace Theatre from Saturday 28 November until Sunday 3 January.