City News

Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime has taken over £2 million in ticket sales for the first time and is believed to be an all-time record for a pantomime in the UK.   Produced by Qdos Entertainment, the 2006/07 production of CINDERELLA starring Brian Conley has played to more than 100,000 people across 71 performances.

Commenting on this record-breaking success, Stuart Griffiths, Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome said,  “This really is the icing on the cake after a terrific year for the theatre.  The annual pantomime is a key part of Birmingham Hippodrome’s success in welcoming more patrons per annum than any other single theatre in the country.”

Nick Thomas, Chairman of Qdos Entertainment, added, “Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime is the largest that we produce and we are thrilled that Cinderella has set an all-time record at the box office.  Stuart Griffiths and his team have increased audiences year on year for panto at the venue and we congratulate them and our hugely talented cast, led by Brian Conley and Shobna Gulati, on this outstanding achievement."

In recent years, the relationship between pantomime producer Qdos Entertainment, producer/director Paul Elliott and Birmingham Hippodrome has seen some of the country’s most breathtaking and spectacular productions on the famous Hurst Street stage.

Brian Conley, star of this year’s Panto who plays the role of Buttons, said,  “I have so enjoyed being in Birmingham over the last year both for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Cinderella.  And I know I speak for all the cast and crew when I say how welcome we have been made to feel.  The audiences have been fantastic."

For the theatre’s 50th Pantomime, Qdos and Birmingham Hippodrome will be presenting Aladdin for 2007/08.  Tickets are already on sale from Birmingham Hippodrome online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or 0870 730 1234.