Leicestershire’s X-Factor winner Sam Bailey will play Fairy Flutterby in the De Montfort Hall and Imagine Theatre 2023 panto Jack and the Beanstalk.
Bailey won the 10th series of the television talent show. Since then, she has toured the UK a number of times. She is no stranger to the stage, having appeared in many pantos as well as being cast in several musicals. She played Mrs Potts in the tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 2022.
She said, “I’m so pleased to be back doing panto. It makes people so happy, and Christmas is my favourite time of year. I can’t wait to get back on that amazing stage at De Montfort Hall with all the cast. I’m going to laugh—a lot.”
Singer and songwriter Mark Read, best known as a member of the British-Norwegian band A1, will play Jack. It will be his seventh panto. Comedian and actor Jarred Christmas will play Lazy Larry in his third De Montfort panto. They join previously announced Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills, who will make his stage debut as the King and Mayor, who has his own radio station.
Jack and the Beanstalk will run at De Montfort Hall, Leicester from Friday 15 December until Sunday 7 January 2024.