The stars of this year’s pantomime at Wolverhampton Grand proved it’s never too early to get into the panto spirit by launching this year’s giant of a show, Jack and the Beanstalk, which opens on Saturday 9th December.
The production, once again produced by QDOS Pantomimes, stars returning favourites from last year’s award-winning production of Aladdin; Lisa Riley, Doreen Tipton, Ian Adams and Adam C Booth. Graham Cole, best known as PC Tony Stamp in ITV's 'The Bill', joins them as the evil Fleshcreep, musical theatre actress Sarah Vaughan stars as the Princess and Julie Paton plays The Harp.
Lisa Riley, who captured the hearts of Wolverhampton as the Slave of the Ring in last year’s pantomime, is back for another season and will star as Mother Nature - Lisa is a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and is known for playing Mandy Dingle in the ITV1 soap Emmerdale from 1995 to 2001. She more recently wowed viewers on the BBC1 series Strictly Come Dancing.
Black Country internet sensation, Doreen Tipton, has graciously accepted the workload and will appear as the Trot family’s lazy next door neighbour - just as long as Social Services don’t find out. As a (self proclaimed!) national treasure, Doreen’s original million hit YouTube viral success has now blossomed into a series of theatre tours, a full-length feature film featuring fellow Yam Yam's; rock legend, Robert Plant and footballing icon, Steve Bull.
A newcomer to the Grand panto family, Graham Cole played PC Tony Stamp in the much-loved ITV serial drama The Bill, for over 25 years, until the show ended in 2009. In that time he detained thousands of criminals ensuring the streets of London were safe, but will be swapping good for bad, playing the role of the Giant’s henchman, the evil Fleshcreep in this year’s pantomime.
Joining them this year is Sarah Vaughan who stars as the Princess. Having studied Music and Performance in her native Ireland, Sarah has regularly worked at home and abroad with roles including Young Sally in Follies, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Belle in A Christmas Carol and has appeared in pantomime numerous times, most recently starring as Cinderella in High Wycombe alongside Louie Spence and Linda Robson last year.
Lisa, Doreen, Ian, Adam, Sarah and Graham will join Pop Idol star Gareth Gates as Jack. Gareth is currently in Shanghai starring in the hit musical Footloose, fresh from a limited run in London’s West End.
Jack and the Beanstalk will be directed by David Janson, with Choreography by Julie Paton. The production’s Executive Producer is Michael Harrison, the man behind recent Wolverhampton Grand hit shows including Funny Girl, Annie and The Bodyguard.
Tickets are already on sale and can be booked in person, by phone on 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.
