Photo Flash: DICK WHITTINGTON Stars Assemble for Birmingham's Biggest Panto, Opening Tonight

Following last year's record-breaking production of Aladdin attended by nearly 120,000 people, Birmingham Hippodrome will play host to another unmissable pantomime production of the rags-to-riches tale, Dick Whittington, this Christmas season.

To celebrate the opening of Dick Whittington in Birmingham, principal cast members John Barrowman, STEVE MCFADDEN, THE KRANKIES, Jodie Prenger, MATT SLACK, ANDREW RYAN and Danielle Hope took to the Birmingham Hippodrome stage for a fairy-tale appearance earlier this afternoon in countdown to the opening performance at 2.30pm on Monday 19 December. Scroll down for photos!

This year's festive extravaganza will see legendary showman and star of Doctor Who and Torchwood, John Barrowman take on the title role of Dick Whittington in a magical new production directed by Michael Harrison which runs from Monday 19 December 2016 to Sunday 29 January 2017 at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Joining John on stage this Christmas will be Britain's favourite soap star 'baddie' STEVE McFADDEN in the role of the dastardly King Rat and legendary comedy duo, THE KRANKIES as Councillor and Jimmy Krankie. Back for a fifth year running, Hippodrome favourite MATT SLACK returns to make Birmingham audiences roll in the aisles with his hilarious physical comedy and quick wit in the role of Idle Jack. Adding a touch of West End sparkle to proceedings, actress and singer Jodie Prenger stars as Fairy Bow Bells. Completing the cast are Birmingham's favourite panto dame ANDREW RYAN, who will don even more of his amazing frocks in the role of Sarah the Cook and star of I'd Do Anything, Danielle Hope in the role of Alice.

Produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world's biggest pantomime producer, Dick Whittington will be directed by Michael Harrison for the fifth year running.

Dick Whittington runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from today 19 Dec 2016 until Sun 29 Jan 2017. Tickets from £15.50 can be booked on 0844 338 5000 or from birminghamhippodrome.com.

Photo Credit: Simon Hadley

Steve McFadden and The Krankies

Steve McFadden and The Krankies

Steve McFadden and The Krankies

Steve McFadden and Matt Slack

Steve McFadden and John Barrowman

Steve McFadden and John Barrowman

Steve McFadden and John Barrowman

John Barrowman and Steve McFadden

Andrew Ryan, Matt Slack, Jodie Prenger and The Krankies

Andrew Ryan, Matt Slack, Jodie Prenger and The Krankies

The cast of DICK WHITTINGTON at Birmingham Hippodrome

The cast of DICK WHITTINGTON at Birmingham Hippodrome

The cast of DICK WHITTINGTON at Birmingham Hippodrome

The cast of DICK WHITTINGTON at Birmingham Hippodrome