THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS & JOHN ALTMAN LAUNCH GRAND THEATRE PANTOMIME - PETER PAN

On Thursday 3 September, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre officially launched their swashbuckling pantomime, PETER PAN. Produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world's biggest pantomime producer, this year's Christmas show will star The Chuckle Brothers as Paul & Barry Smee, John Altman as Captain Hook, and also flying in for the launch was Ross Carpenter in the role of Peter Pan.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment and the producer of PETER PAN recently co-produced with Cameron Mackintosh the UK tour of Barnum, starring Brian Conley, and The Bodyguard, starring Alexandra Burke, both of which enjoyed hugely-successful runs at the Grand Theatre earlier this year.

PETER PAN will be directed by David Burrows and choreographed by Midlands-born Steven Harris, who choreographed Jack and the Beanstalk at the Grand Theatre in 2012.

Paul and Barry Elliott, the real life brothers better known to millions as The Chuckle Brothers, have worked in almost every area of entertainment and despite over 50 years in show business their appearance at the Grand Theatre this Christmas marks the first time the comedy duo have ever performed in a production of PETER PAN!

Regular favourites with Wolverhampton audiences, The Chuckle Brothers perform at the Grand Theatre each year as part of the UK tour of their hugely-popular stage shows. It has been 22 years since Paul and Barry were last at the Grand Theatre for a pantomime season. In 1993 they played Henchmen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs alongside Linda Lusardi and Stu Francis!

John Altman is perhaps best known for playing 'Nasty' Nick Cotton in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. He was among the show's original cast members in 1985 and recently reappeared in 2014 after a five-year absence, but his character was killed off earlier this year as part of the special 30th anniversary episode. John's previous appearances at the Grand Theatre include the role of Billy Flynn in the 2002 UK tour of the West-End smash-hit Chicago.

The Chuckle Brothers and John Altman were joined by Ross Carpenter as Peter Pan, who trained at Laine Theatre Arts and last Christmas played the title role of Peter Pan in Northampton for Qdos Entertainment.

As Wolverhampton audiences have come to expect, PETER PAN will feature an abundance of comedy, fabulous costumes, live music and spectacular special effects!

There will be a Relaxed Performance of the pantomime, for patrons on the Autistic Spectrum and/or with Additional Needs, at 11am on Thursday 21 January 2016. At this performance sound and lighting levels are adjusted to make the auditorium environment less stressful, aiming to reduce anxiety. For more information, to make reservations and to book for the Relaxed Performance please email Janine Graeme (Access and Education Administrator) janine@grandtheatre.co.uk or call 01902 57 33 20.

PETER PAN opens at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Saturday 12 December 2015 and runs until Sunday 24 January 2016. Tickets can be booked by calling 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.