Famed for it's record breaking festive productions, Birmingham Hippodrome brings the Fairy Godmother of Panto casts to Birmingham this year!

The Hurst Street theatre has proudly announced that Wolverhampton's own Beverley Knight will make her pantomime debut this year alongside Strictly Come Dancing finalist, Danny Mac. Singer and actress, Suzanne Shaw will also arrive in the city with Matt Slack, The Grumbleweeds, Ceri Dupree and Phil Randall completing the line up for this year’s production of Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes!

Revealing this year’s casting, Producer and Director Michael Harrison said:

“This year’s fantastic line-up will ensure another smash-hit pantomime for Birmingham Hippodrome!

"With so many stars across the worlds of music, theatre, dance and comedy I’m delighted we’ve assembled such a stellar cast for Birmingham’s ultimate pantomime. Once again there’ll be plenty of laughs, surprises and audience participation to look forward to, so audiences should book their tickets to the ball today.”

Fiona Allan, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome added:

"We are hugely excited to play host to Beverley Knight in her pantomime debut this festive season. Pantomime is incredibly important to us at Birmingham Hippodrome and we’re extremely proud of our longstanding relationship with Qdos, who continue to entertain and delight audiences from across the region year on year with their unique mixture of storytelling, lavish special effects and hilarious comedy.

"This year’s line-up promises something for everyone, and with the clock already ticking, it’s never too early to start planning in some Christmas fun!"

Soul diva, Beverley, will take up the role of The Fairy Godmother. The much-loved recording artist, radio presenter and musical theatre actress has been a mainstay of the UK music industry for over 20 years having released eight studio albums and stormed worldwide charts with hits including 'Soul Survivor', 'Shoulda Woulda Coulda' and 'Come as You Are'.

Beverley made her professional acting debut as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End and, after winning rave reviews, she went on to create the leading role of Felicia in Memphis and played Grizabella in Cats before reprising her role in The Bodyguard at London’s Dominion Theatre which broke Box Office attendance records. 

Joining her, in the role of Prince Charming, is celebrated Strictly Come Dancing finalist Danny Mac. As well as appearing on the dancing show, Danny made his professional stage debut at the age of ten playing Gavroche in Les Misérables for Cameron Mackintosh and, having graduated from Arts Education School, appeared in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria, London, where he understudied and played the role of Boq. Danny will also star as Joe Gillis in the UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, which comes to Birmingham Hippodrome later this year.

Returning for his fifth consecutive pantomime appearance, Birmingham’s favourite funny man Matt Slack plays Buttons after winning rave reviews and legions of fans following last year’s performance as Idle Jack in Dick Whittington. Matt will ensure Cinderella goes to the Royal Ball in a performance that will feature his trademark physical comedy, off-the- cuff jokes and hilarious local references.

In the title role of Cinderella will be pop and television star, Suzanne Shaw, who rose to fame on the popular ITV talent search Popstars and in the record-breaking pop group Hear’Say. She has appeared in various leading stage roles and pantomimes, and starred as Eve Jenson in ITV’s Emmerdale.

Once again this year’s pantomime will be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, with Michael Harrison as Producer and Director for the eighth consecutive year.

Audiences shall go to the ball this Christmas as Cinderella transforms from rags to riches, outwits her very Ugly Sisters, and with the help of her hilarious friend Buttons and one very magical Fairy Godmother, wins the heart of the dashing Prince Charming.

Cinderella will feature all of the ingredients of the perfect Hippodrome pantomime: a fabulous cast and orchestra, laugh-out- loud comedy, stunning scenery and special effects, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses for all the family to enjoy.

Tickets are available from the Birmingham Hippodrome website.