MEDIA RELEASE FROM WIRRAL COUNCIL
The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, has now confirmed the star studded cast appearing in their spectacular family pantomime Aladdin running from 10th December to 2nd January.
After last year’s hugely successful production of Cinderella, brought to the Floral by UK Productions, the venue is looking forward to one of Merseyside’s only truly traditional family pantomimes. The show will have lavish scenery, spectacular dance routines as well as laughs for all the family headed up by a cast that will appeal to every generation.
The role of Aladdin will be played by KELSEY-BETH CROSSLEY who is best known as Scarlett Nicholls in ITV’s Emmerdale. Kelsey has now played Scarlett in more than 500 episodes and on Christmas Day last year appeared on All Star Family Fortunes with the Emmerdale King Family beating rivals Coronation Street’s Webster Family. However Kelsey originally began her showbiz career at the tender age of eight when she won the part of little Eva Lawrence in Her Benny at the Liverpool Empire, a show that is coming to the Floral Pavilion later this year.
ANDREW AGNEW, who is probably best known by the younger audience as the Crime Busting, Nature Loving P.C. Plum in the two times Bafta Award Winning Balamory (Cbeebies) will be playing the hilarious Wishee Washee. Andrew is also well known leading his “Spotters Club” in Spring Watch (Cbeebies) and Bafta Award Winning Autumn Watch (Cbeebies). He was also involved in a one off Balamory Christmas Special Seeking Santa (Tattiemoon) as well as being an old hand at panto that has been delighting children all over the country.
The magical Slave of the Ring will be played by Nickelodeon’s HELENA DOWLING who not only presents Wake Up World on Nickelodeon Jnr but has just finished touring as a dancer and singer for the Pet Shop Boys who were supporting Take That on the ‘Progress 2011′ tour performing to crowds of over 90,000.
Abanazar will especially evil this year as DEAN SULLIVAN takes on the role. Dean, who is probably best known for playing the lovable rogue, Jimmy Corkhill in the Channel’s flagship programme Brookside, a role he played for 18 years. He has had an impressive career on stage and screen but is also known and loved in Merseyside for the great work he has done for the arts. Dean recently toured the north-west in a critically acclaimed one-man production, playing Graham from A Chip in the Sugar in the stage version of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads and was last year was back in his home town of Liverpool starring as William Laird in the smash hit comedy, Brick Up – the Wirral Strikes Back, at the Empire theatre.
As usual the Floral’s panto will have an exceptionally funny and completely over the top Dame who will be played by ANTHONY WILLIAMS. Anthony’s creative career spans many years across a very broad spectrum of theatre and pantomime. He has recently been Associate Director to Michael Bogdanov and was also responsible for the choreography for Wales Theatre Company and Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Anthony is very excited to be returning the Floral Pavilion having directed year’s smash hit production of Cinderella.
Tickets are already selling fast and the Floral Pavilion recommend that customers book early as Aladdin is expected to sell out. Prices range from £11.00 to £16.50 (with special offers for families and groups) and can be booked on 0151 666 0000 or customers can choose their own seats online at www.floralpavilion.com.