THE star-studded cast of Redditch’s 2016 pantomime has been announced and those with a passion for panto are in for a beastly and beautiful show.
With a cast, including Bad Girl and Emmerdale temptress Nicole Faraday, who will play the Wicked Witch and Dancing on Ice winner Sam Attwater as lothario Gaston, the tale of Beauty and the Beast will be told complete with a fairytale set, colourful costumes, choreography and live music.
The Palace Theatre invites audiences to follow the story of heroine Belle (Natalie Turner) and the beast (James Meunier) while Redditch panto favourite Tony Rudd keeps the crowds entertained with his comic capers as Wacky Willie.
Adam Daye will also dish up a dollop of fun for audiences of all ages as Madame Cherie Trifle and actor Andrew Haynes will return to the Palace for the second year running to play Belle’s father, Professor René Crackpot.
Nicole Faraday said: “I have done panto for many years and I always look forward to it. It has become a sort of tradition for me.
“i could not imagine Christmas without the sparkle and the and the magic of pantomime. it’s brilliant for kids and adults and it works for all audiences.
“I always play the baddy. I am really looking forward to it because it’s a part where I get to have a lot of fun. I love playing baddies because I get to be really wicked and have a good giggle.
Prof Crackpot, Andrew Haynes said: “I am delighted to be returning to Redditch for another year of panto fun. The people and theatre are absolutely great and I really enjoyed my time here last year, so I was very pleased to be invited back.
“Audiences are fabulous in Redditch too – they seem to have a real soft-spot for panto.”
The story of Beauty and the Beast comes to the Palace Theatre on December 5 and runs until December 31, brought to Redditch by Paul Holman Associates, producers of last year’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.
Tickets start at £16 for adults and £14 for children and are available from the Box Office.
Visit http://www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/beauty-and-the-beast-panto-16/ more details.
