Marti Pellow, Julian Clary, Lee Mead, Matt Slack and Andrew Ryan head the cast of “the UK’s biggest pantomime” Aladdin at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Produced by “the world’s biggest pantomime producer Qdos Entertainment”, Aladdin is directed by Michael Harrison who has been in charge of the Hippodrome panto for the past four years.
He said, “I’m delighted that Marti, Julian, Lee, Matt and Andrew are starring in Birmingham’s favourite pantomime. Each member of our stellar cast is hugely talented. Combined with the special effects, comedy and top-drawer production values, Aladdin promises to be another unmissable Christmas show at Birmingham Hippodrome, the home of pantomime.”
Hippodrome chief executive Stuart Griffiths added, “the hugely successful pantomime team of Qdos Entertainment and Michael Harrison are bringing back another terrific family show. We’re delighted Marti and Lee will be joining us this Christmas and we’re sure Birmingham will give a huge welcome to some of our returning favourites—Julian, Matt and Andrew.”
Pellow plays evil sorcerer Abanazar. The Wet Wet Wet singer has appeared in several high-profile productions including Chicago in the West End and on Broadway. He also played Che in the UK tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita which ended in 2014 with a sold-out London season at the Dominion Theatre.
Clary, who plays Spirit of the Ring, has headlined some of the biggest pantos around the UK and in 2010 was in Dick Whittington at Birmingham Hippodrome opposite Joan Collins.
Lee Mead, who plays Aladdin, captured the title role in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by winning the BBC TV talent show Any Dream Will Do. Since then he has had lead roles in Wicked and Legally Blonde in the West End, released several solo albums and toured extensively.
Birmingham favourite Matt Slack returns for his third consecutive Hippodrome panto and plays Wishee Washee.
In what will be his 30th pantomime and 25th year playing dame, Andrew Ryan appears as the ultimate pantomime matriarch Widow Twankey. He was last seen at the Hippodrome in the 2012 production of Robinson Crusoe opposite Brian Conley.
Aladdin runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 19 December until Sunday 31 January.