City News

The cast of Sleeping Beauty, this year’s spectacular Birmingham Hippodrome pantomime, today officially launched the show.

Returning triumphantly to the Hippodrome stage for the third time, following record-breaking runs in Jack and the Beanstalk and Peter Pan, the hilarious Joe Pasquale heads the cast of the country’s biggest pantomime as ‘Muddles’.

One of the UK’s best-loved comedians and entertainers, Joe has hosted The Price is Right and guest-hosted The Paul O’Grady Show and has toured extensively across the UK to sell-out audiences in his solo show. Joe received his first big break by winning New Faces recorded at Birmingham Hippodrome in 1987.

Joining Joe as ‘The Prince’ will be X Factor finalist and Dancing on Ice winner, Ray Quinn, who recently wowed Birmingham audiences when he appeared in the arena tour of the ice show. Ray began his career at an early age in Channel 4’s Brookside and then went on to Merseybeat and Doctors. Following his appearance in the final of the X Factor in 2007, Ray released his first album ‘Doing It My Way’. In 2008 he performed in the West End production of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre where he has recently returned to play the lead role of ‘Danny’.

There is nothing like a dame...and there is no other dame quite like the wonderfully outrageous Ceri Dupree, who plays the role of ‘Lady Passionella’ in Sleeping Beauty. Hippodrome audiences will never have seen such a colourful wardrobe of costumes!

Adding a touch of glamour to the show in the role of ‘Princess Beauty’ is the beautiful Lucy Evans, who is best known for her most recent part in Coronation Street as Lauren Wilson and appearances in Hollyoaks and Holby City.

As well as stunning staging and sets, Sleeping Beauty will feature spectacular visual effects including brand-new, mind-blowing 3D technology. It will be without a doubt one of the most impressive pantomimes ever staged in Birmingham.

The world’s largest pantomime producer Qdos Entertainment have created 22 productions around Britain this Christmas and Birmingham Hippodrome’s Sleeping Beauty will have the hallmark of outstanding family entertainment and terrific value for money, especially as ticket prices have been frozen for most performances.

Speaking at the launch of Sleeping Beauty, Michael Harrison, Managing Director of Qdos Entertainment’s Pantomime Division and director of the show said:
“We are delighted that Joe, who has smashed box office records wherever he has performed, is returning to the Hippodrome pantomime along with Ray, Ceri, Lucy and a fabulous company. Qdos Entertainment has enjoyed a long association with the Hippodrome and for many years the theatre has retained the accolade of staging the country’s top-selling pantomime. The superb cast - combined with the new special effects - are set to give Birmingham audiences another pantomime to remember!”

Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, Stuart Griffiths added:
“We are particularly delighted that advance ticket sales are keeping pace with last year’s record-breaking Robin Hood, proving how increasingly popular Pantomime is for families across the region. It’s great to be working once again with the team at Qdos and especially with Joe and Ray who together will wow everyone this Christmas!”

Sleeping Beauty runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 19 December 2009 to Sunday 31 January 2010.