Joe McElderry To Lead The Cast Of Grand Theatre Pantomime - Aladdin

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre today announce that X Factor winner Joe McElderry will star in the title role of this year’s magical pantomime adventure – Aladdin.
 
Joe, who is known as the sweet-singing hero and heartthrob of hundreds, also plays the role of Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Grand from 17 – 21 May. Joe has recently appeared as Tommy in The Who’s musical of the same name and has been busy touring his own concerts throughout the year.
 
In the role of the Slave Of The Ring is TV favourite, Lisa Riley. Lisa is best known for playing Mandy Dingle in the ITV1 soap Emmerdale from 1995 to 2001 and more recently wowed viewers on the BBC1 series Strictly Come Dancing. Lisa last appeared in a Grand Theatre pantomime in the 2000 production of Dick Whittington as Fairy Bowbells.
 
Also joining the pantomime line up is Black Country favourite, Doreen, as the laziest Empress that China has ever seen. Doreen returns to the Grand Theatre following phenomenal demand for her own show, Doreen’s Grand Night Out that plays a two-night residency in July.
 
Pantomime favourite Ian Adams will play Widow Twankey. Ian wrote and performed in a production of Dick Whittington that was the very first pantomime to be presented inside London Zoo. Recently, Ian formed StarDam productions – a company who specialise in creating stage versions of popular children’s stories.
 
From the company behind last year’s pantomime, Peter Pan, Aladdin will be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer. Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment and the producer of Aladdin said;

“We’re absolutely delighted to already have such a great headline cast in Wolverhampton, led by the talented Joe McElderry and Lisa Riley. Watch this space as there is still more star casting to announce, which will make this Wolverhampton’s biggest pantomime yet!”
 
Adrian Jackson, Chief Executive of the Grand Theatre said;

"It has been very exciting working with the team in order to ensure we bring the very best of Christmas entertainment to the Grand Theatre in our production of Aladdin. Our star studded cast brings both local and national flair to our production which will guarantee to delight the whole family during the festive season.”
 
Aladdin opens at the Grand Theatre on Saturday 10 Dec 2016 and runs until Sunday 22 January 2017. Tickets are already on sale and can be booked in person, by phone on 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.