Brian Conley to Celebrate 600th Performance at Birmingham Hippodrome

The official opening night of Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison's production of the musical Barnum at Birmingham Hippodrome was made even more special as one of the show's producers, Michael Harrison, paid tribute to its star BRIAN CONLEY who this month celebrates an outstanding 600th performance at the UK's most visited theatre.

Theatregoers gave Brian a standing ovation as fellow cast members brought on a giant cake specially made for the occasion.

Following the presentation Brian kissed the Hippodrome stage and said "Birmingham Hippodrome holds so many memories for me. It's the greatest theatre in the UK, the backstage facilities are fantastic and the staff, onstage and off, are wonderful. Birmingham audiences have been amazing. Thanks to everyone - long may Birmingham Hippodrome reign."

Brian made his Birmingham Hippodrome debut in Aladdin in 1992 alongside Brit Ekland and Danny La Rue. He has since starred in a further five pantomime productions at the theatre including Dick Whittington, Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates and three productions of Cinderella. Over these years Brian has entertained audiences of over 600,000 achieving a Birmingham Hippodrome record for the most pantomime appearances.

As well as traditional pantomime, Brian has also performed leading roles on the Hippodrome stage in a variety of West End musicals including Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and Fagin in Cameron Mackintosh's award winning production of Oliver!

In 1995 Brian starred as Jolson in the award-winning musical of the same name and, just four years later, compered The Royal Variety Performance in front of HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Brian also showed off his ballet moves when he appeared in a tutu in a special performance of Sir Peter Wright's acclaimed The Nutcracker called The Crack'd Nut performed by the theatre's resident company Birmingham Royal Ballet. He also appeared in a special midnight matinee charity performance in aid of The Grand Order of Water Rats, and was a surprise guest star in the Morecambe and Wise spoof, The Play What I Wrote.

Michael Harrison, producer of Barnum and Managing Director of Qdos Entertainment's Pantomime Division who has directed Brian in pantomime said: "P T Barnum was referred to as the Greatest Showman on Earth. Unquestionably he has a rival in Brian Conley and it is fitting that he should celebrate this record-breaking run of performances at Birmingham Hippodrome in a role which he was clearly born to play. Cameron Mackintosh and I are thrilled to be producing this spectacular production with a sensational cast led by Brian and I am personally honoured to have worked with him on many record-breaking pantomimes including two at Birmingham Hippodrome."

Rob Macpherson, Marketing & Development Director at Birmingham Hippodrome added: "Brian is incredibly popular with our audiences and has made a huge contribution to making Birmingham Hippodrome the home of the UK's biggest and best pantomime. Everyone who works at the theatre sends Brian many congratulations on his 600th performance here - a major milestone in the theatre's rich heritage."

Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison present the Cameron Mackintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre smash hit production of Barnum. Starring Brian Conley, Barnum, continues its run at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 1 August. The musical follows the irrepressible imagination and dreams of the legendary showman PT Barnum as he lit up the world with the colour, warmth and excitement and finally teamed up with J A Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey's Circus - the Greatest Show on Earth.