Manchester Opera House's DICK WHITTINGTON Wins at Manchester Theatre Awards

The Manchester Opera House's pantomime for the Christmas 2013/14 season, Dick Whittington, has scooped the award for Best Special Entertainment at this year's Manchester Theatre Awards.

The critically acclaimed pantomime starring Ashleigh and Pudsey, Jodie Prenger, Eric Potts, Ben Faulks and Tam Ryan was produced by First Family Entertainment (FFE) and the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and marks the first time that FFE has won an award for one of it's productions.

The award was collected by FFE's Associate Producer and Head of Marketing, Laura Taylor, Eric Potts and Tam Ryan at a glittering ceremony held at Manchester's Royal Exchange.

The Manchester Theatre Awards are chosen by an entirely independent panel of theatre experts, who see hundreds of shows at venues small, large and unusual to pick the cream of the crop, and awards range from Musical, Dance, Opera and Visiting Production to acting categories.

In awarding the prize to Dick Whittington, the Manchester Theatre Awards said the show was "lavish, innovative and hugely entertaining."

Kevin Wood, FFE's Chief Executive, said: "We are so proud of this achievement. Although pantomime is such a critical part of the regional theatre programme, and one of the highest grossing productions that attracts huge audience numbers it is often overlooked in an artistic sense. So winning this award is not only wonderful for the all of the people involved in that production of Dick Whittington, it is wonderful for the genre as a whole."

Meanwhile, FFE and The Opera House, have just announced that Priscilla Presley will be starring in this year's dazzling family pantomime - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - which runs from 6 December 2014 - 5 January 2015.

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