Lisa Riley News

Today, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and Dudley Zoological Gardens announced a continuation to a partnership that sees two family-friendly attractions unite the popular 80 year-old zoo and the annual family pantomime - a tradition that spans over 120 years at the theatre.

Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.

Beginning next month, a host of stars from the world of entertainment will light up the stages in thirty-five theatres around the UK for this year's Qdos Entertainment pantomime season.

Get a first glimpse at the world premiere of Fat Friends the Musical with new rehearsal images - check them out below! Starring Freddie Flintoff, Sam Bailey, Jodie Prenger, Natasha Hamilton, Natalie Anderson and Kevin Kennedy, Fat Friends the Musical has now started rehearsals in Leeds, home of the original TV series, with two weeks until the first performance.

The stars of this year's Wolverhampton Grand pantomime proved it's never too early to get into the panto spirit by launching this year's giant of a show, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, which opens on Saturday 9 December 2017 starring returning favourites from last year's award-winning production of Aladdin; Lisa Riley, Doreen Tipton, Ian Adams and Adam C Booth, with The Bill star Graham Cole joining them as the evil Fleshcreep, musical theatre actress Sarah Vaughan is the Princess and Julie Paton plays The Harp.

Yesterday, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre launched a GIANT of a pantomime at Dudley Zoological Gardens with leading man Gareth Gates. The pop-star and musical theatre favourite will be taking the title role in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK which also stars Lisa Riley, Doreen Tipton, Graham Cole, Ian Adams and Adam C Booth at the Grand Theatre from 9 December 2017 - 14 January 2018. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars in costume below!

Joining the previously announced cast, Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street) stars as Fergus and Rachael Wooding (We Will Rock You) appears as Joanne, alongside Jonathan Halliwell (Let It Shine) as Paul and Chloe Hart (Hairspray) as Val. Alan will be played by Neil Hurst, one of dozens of Yorkshiremen who applied for the role through an open audition call.

The first image of the the Musical family has today been released, as full casting for Kay Mellor's new musical is unveiled. 

Emmerdale and The Royal star Natalie Anderson will join the cast of Fat Friends - The Musical. Natalie has appeared in numerous other television programmes including Wire in the Blood and The Biz.

Sam Bailey (X Factor, Chicago) and Jodie Prenger (I'd Do Anything, Shirley Valentine) star alongside Former England cricket captain, and star of Sky's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff in Fat Friends - The Musical at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from Mon 12 - Sat 17 February. Tickets go on sale to members on Sat 8 July and on general sale on Sat 15 July.

Students at Bristnall Hall Academy are celebrating their new partnership with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre thanks to funding from the Big Lottery. To launch the partnership, students were treated to a visit from the touring cast of the Grand Theatre's pantomime workshop - a Theatre In Education project. 

Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.

Wolverhampton Grand have announced that The Bill star Graham Cole will complete the line-up of this year's GIGANTIC family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk from Saturday 9 December 2017 - Sunday 14 January 2018.

Number one recording artist Sam Bailey, who rose to fame winning the tenth series of The X Factor, will join the previously announced Jodie Prenger in the original British musical Fat Friends - The Musical. Sam will share the much loved role of Betty, originated on screen by Alison Steadman, with award-winning comedian and actress Elaine C Smith (Two Doors Down, Rab C Nesbitt). Elaine will step into the role during three Scottish dates in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. 

???????Doreen Tipton has been crowned Best Pantomime Newcomer at the Great British Pantomime Awards for her role as the Lazy Empress Of China in Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's 2016/17 pantomime, Aladdin.

Today, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre revealed the first casting announcement for the 2017/18 pantomime. Gareth Gates will star as Jack in a giant new production of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre have launched a brand new Audio Description service to further improve access for theatregoers who are blind or partially sighted and hard of hearing.

Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel are delighted to announce the premiere of an original British musical Fat Friends. The much loved TV drama has been adapted for the stage by prolific writer Kay Mellor and with original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber, Fat Friends will open at Leeds Grand Theatre on 7 November 2017. 

Aladdin panto stars Joe McElderry and Lucy Kay enjoyed some free time meeting the animals at Dudley Zoological Gardens (DZG). The musical pair who are currently appearing in ALADDIN had a fun morning touring the zoo site and feeding some of the animals alongside dancer Katrina Ridley, before they headed back for the matinee performance.

Today it was announced that Free Radio's breakfast presenter Sparky will make an appearance in Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's pantomime, Aladdin today 5 January 2017.