Photo Flash: Grand Theatre Launches Biggest Pantomime Ever- ALADDIN

On Tuesday 18 October, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre launched its biggest pantomime to date, ALADDIN, which opens in seven weeks' time on Saturday 10 December.

9 cast members were all in attendance at the launch for Wolverhampton's spectacular pantomime which stars Joe McElderry as Aladdin andLisa Riley as Slave Of The Ring. Also starring is CBeebies 'Mr Bloom' - Ben Faulks who will play the Policeman, Britain's Got Talent finalist soprano Lucy Kay as Princess Jasmine, Black Country internet sensation Doreen as the Lazy Empress Of China, Ian Adams as Widow Twankey, Adam C Booth as Wishee Washee and Neal Wright as the Genie Of The Lamp.

ALADDIN reunites Joe McElderry and Lucy Kay who received critical acclaim for their performances as Joseph and the Narrator in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Grand Theatre earlier this year. Lisa Riley makes her second Grand Theatre pantomime appearance having last played in the 2000 - 2001 production of Dick Whittington as Fairy Bowbells. Doreen completely sold out two nights of her own comedy show Doreen's Grand Night Out at the Grand Theatre in July.

ALADDIN will be choreographed by Matt Flint, who has leant his choreographic talent to the last 6 series' of Strictly Come Dancing. In 2011, Matt won Series 2 of the BBC show So You Think You Can Dance. He has appeared in 10 West End Shows and has had numerous TV/Advert appearances. His recent work includes Associate Choreographer for West Side Story at the Festspiele Theatre, Salzburg and Movement Director for the UK tour of Tell Me On A Sunday, which starred Jodie Prenger at the Grand Theatre in June this year.

Bob Tomson, whose production of Blood Brothers has won every British Best Musical Award will direct the pantomime. Bob's other directing credits include the UK tour and 2014 West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita. Bob has directed Blood Brothers in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and, most significantly, in the United States, where the show was nominated on Broadway for no fewer than six Tony Awards. Leslie Bricusse's Scrooge has also been a long-running success for Bob, culminating in a run at the Dominion Theatre in the West End and its Australian and Japanese premieres won Bob Best Director awards. TV includes the BBC drama series Hero to Zero, for which he was nominated for a BAFTA Award, with the subsequent full length film version being sold to 53 countries; Sky TV's series Is Harry on the Boat? and Dream Team; ITV's Night and Day, The Bill, Family Affairs and Heartbeat, and Channel 4's Brookside.

There will be a Relaxed Performance of the pantomime for those on the Autistic Spectrum and/or with Additional Needs at 11am on Thursday 19 January. At this performance, sound and lighting levels are adjusted to make the auditorium environment less stressful, aiming to reduce anxiety. For more information, to reserve tickets or make a booking, please contact Access and Operations Manager Sue Howell on 01902 57 33 20 or email sueh@grandtheatre.co.uk.

ALADDIN opens at the Grand Theatre on Saturday 10 Dec 2016 and runs until Sunday 22 January 2017. Tickets are already on sale and can be booked in person, by phone on 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.

Adam C Booth as Wishee Washee

Aladdin Full Cast

Aladdin Full Cast

Ben Faulks as The Policeman

Doreen Tipton as the Lazy Empress Of China

Ian Adams as Widow Twankey

Joe McElderry As Aladdin and Lucy Kay as Princess Jasmine

Joe McElderry as Aladdin

Lisa Riley as Slave Of The Ring Ben Faulks as the Policeman and Joe McElderry as Aladdin

Lisa Riley as the Slave Of The Ring

Lucy Kay as Princess Jasmine

Neal Wright As The Genie Of The Lamp

Stefan Pejic as Abanazar