Birmingham Hippodrome Sets ALADDIN Pantomime Cast

Following last year's record-breaking production of Jack and the Beanstalk, Birmingham Hippodrome has announced another all-star cast for this year's action-packed pantomime Aladdin, which runs from Saturday 19 December 2015 until Sunday 31 January 2016.

MARTI PELLOW, JULIAN CLARY, LEE MEAD, MATT SLACK and ANDREW RYAN star in the annual pantomime extravaganza that delights over 100,000 Birmingham theatregoers every Christmas.

The hugely talented singer Marti Pellow stars as the evil sorcerer Abanazar. Achieving some of the UK's biggest number-one singles, Marti has regularly featured in the UK charts throughout his career, both as a solo artist and as the frontman to Wet Wet Wet. Releasing over twenty studio albums and touring the UK, Marti has won legions of fans and popularity for his distinctive and versatile voice.

In addition to his music, Marti has also starred in numerous high-profile theatre productions, including Chicago (both in the West End and on Broadway) and headlined UK tours in The Witches of Eastwick, Blood Brothers and Jekyll and Hyde. He also starred as Che in the hugely successful UK tour of Evita, which culminated in a sold-out London season at the Dominion Theatre in 2014. This month Marti and Wet Wet Wet announced they will be embarking on a 17-date UK tour to coincide with the 20th anniversary of their number 1 album Picture This.

Julian Clary has established himself as one of the country's most recognisable and popular stage and television entertainers. He has turned his hand to comedy, acting, presenting, writing and in 2012 Julian won Celebrity Big Brother. As well as his autobiography, Julian has become an accomplished novelist with a number of best-sellers to his credit. He is a hugely- popular panto performer and has headlined some of the biggest pantomimes around the UK, including Dick Whittington at Birmingham Hippodrome opposite Joan Collins in 2010. Julian plays the Spirit of the Ring.

Playing the role of Aladdin is musical theatre and television actor Lee Mead. Best-known for winning the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, Lee won the title role in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to rave reviews. Since then Lee has had lead roles in Wicked and Legally Blonde in the West End, released several solo albums and toured extensively. No stranger to pantomime Lee starred as Prince Charming in Cardiff's Cinderella (2014/15) and Robin Hood in Plymouth (2013/14), both for Qdos Entertainment. In 2014 Lee joined the cast of BBC's Casualty playing the role of Ben "Lofty" Chiltern, which saw him nominated for various national Best Newcomer television awards.

Back by popular demand, Birmingham favourite Matt Slack returns for his third consecutive pantomime at Birmingham Hippodrome where he always delights audiences with his jokes and physical comedy. Recognised as one of the country's leading pantomime comics Aladdin marks Matt's 16th year with producers Qdos Entertainment. This year Matt will be Aladdin's brother Wishee Washee.

In what will be his 30th pantomime (and 25th year playing Dame), Andrew Ryan also stars as the ultimate pantomime matriarch Widow Twankey. Last seen delighting Birmingham Hippodrome pantomime audiences in the 2012 production of Robinson Crusoe opposite Brian Conley, theatregoers can expect his usual array of glamourous outfits, quick costume changes and hilarious comedy routines.

Audiences will also marvel at brand new fantastic special effects from The Twins FX, whose illusions in previous Birmingham Hippodrome pantomimes have included flying cars, terrifying dragons and a 40ft animatronic giant. For a second year running, 3D sequences created especially for the show will bring the action right out into the audience, transporting them on a spectacular 3D magic carpet ride.

Produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world's biggest pantomime producer, Aladdin is once again directed by Michael Harrison who has directed the record-breaking Birmingham Hippodrome pantomime for the last four years.

Michael said: "I am delighted that Marti, Julian, Lee, Matt and Andrew are starring in Birmingham's favourite pantomime. Each member of our stellar cast is hugely talented and, combined with the special effects, comedy and top-drawer production values, Aladdin promises to be another unmissable Christmas show at Birmingham Hippodrome, the home of pantomime."

Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome Stuart Griffiths commented: "The hugely successful pantomime team of Qdos Entertainment and Michael Harrison are bringing back another terrific family show. We're delighted Marti and Lee will be joining us this Christmas and we're sure Birmingham will give a huge welcome to some of our returning favourites - Julian, Matt and Andrew. The pantomime is already selling fast so make tickets to Aladdin one of your three wishes this Christmas!"

To book tickets, grab your magic lamp, jump aboard your magical carpet and fly to the box office now!

Aladdin runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 19 December 2015 until Sunday 31 January 2016. Tickets are on sale now priced from £14 and can be booked online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000. Performance times vary please enquire when booking. Sunday performances available. 5% transaction charge applies (excl. cash sales in person) postage from £1. Phone calls from 5p per minute. Prices and discounting subject to change.