Elaine and Johnny return for King’s Theatre panto
IF IT aint’ broke, why fix it? That’s the sentiment of the King’s Theatre who today announced the return of comedy double act Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac in this year’s panto.
Following the phenomenal success of last year’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty, it’s been revealed Elaine and Johnny Mac will return, this time in Aladdin.
Elaine will play Widow Twankey alongside Johnny Mac as Wishee Washee.
The new panto will run from December 1, continuing the comedy partnership which delighted thousands of theatregoers.
Michael Harrison, Qdos Entertainment’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to be re-uniting Elaine and Johnny in Aladdin this year, having forged such a fantastic comedy partnership at the King’s last Christmas.
“Not only are they both brilliantly funny, they are both perfect pantomime performers who know how to entertain and captivate audiences of all ages.”
He added: “We’re already busy working on Aladdin, so King’s audiences can expect even more laughter and special effects in this year’s production.”
Elaine has starred in numerous roles in popular television and theatre shows throughout her career.
From television shows City Lights, Naked Video and Rab C Nesbitt to stage appearances as Susan Boyle in the musical I Dreamed a Dream and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
The actress can currently be seen in the third series of the critically acclaimed BBC Scotland sitcom Two Doors Down as Christine.
And she will return to the King’s later this year to star in Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends the Musical, April 30.
A spokesman for the King’s Theatre said: “Johnny Mac made his King’s debut in Sleeping Beauty last year and the pair will now continue to create the magic and mischief which proved so popular in last year’s pantomime.”
The award-winning funny man has been starring pantomimes across the country for more than 15 years and regularly entertains across the globe on cruise ships and in holiday resorts.
Johnny has performed summer from seasons at the famous Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth for the past eight years. He also plays one-half of Francie and Josie in a criticallyacclaimed tribute to Rikki Fulton and Jack Milroy.
Johnny said: “I’m over the moon to be back for a second year at the King’s and especially excited to be back working with Elaine once again.
“We had an absolute blast together in Sleeping Beauty last year and we’re both really looking forward to repeating that magic in Aladdin.”
The King’s Theatre pantomime will be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, for the second year.
The spokesman added: “Aladdin will be sparkling with laugh-outloud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
“Featuring a wish-granting genie, an evil sorcerer and the timeless tale of the Twankey family, hop aboard a flying carpet to the box office today to book this genie-us family pantomime.”