X Factor winner Sam Bailey returns to De Montfort panto
Panto fun in store at city hall venue later this year
SAM Bailey will be among the stars of the De Montfort Hall pantomime for the third year running.
The venue has announced it will stage Peter Pan over Christmas 2018 and the X Factor winner will return to sing and act in the show, which begins on December 15 this year.
Previously Sam has played the Queen of the Flower Fairies in Jack and the Beanstalk over Christmas 2016 and last Christmas she returned as the Enchantress in the production of Beauty and the Beast.
Sam, currently starring in the UK tour of Fat Friends, said she was happy to be returning to the stage at De Montfort Hall.
She said: “I’m so excited to be back in Leicester this Christmas.
“I love doing panto – it’s such a great show for families and it’s really fun to do.
“This year Peter Pan is going to be amazing.”
The 2013 X-Factor winner will appear alongside BBC Radio Leicester’s Martin Ballard in the family panto.
It will be his eighth pantomime season at the venue.
He will once again don a frock to play the Dame and further names for the rest of the cast to be announced shortly.
Antony Flint, De Montfort Hall’s general manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Sam and Martin back on board.
“Over the last few years they have proved themselves to be pantomime favourites.
“We hope to build on the success of last year’s panto and things are already looking good with this year’s ticket sales at a record high.
“We are looking forward to announcing further star castings shortly.”
Tickets are already on sale at the De Montfort Hall website priced at £14.50 to £28.50 for adults and £15 to £23.50 for under 16s.
In its description of the show, the venue’s website joked there would be no ladders in the show.
Sam was hit in the head by her loft ladder earlier this year while trying to fetch a suitcase and had to be taken to hospital.
It said: “Peter Pan will take audiences on a magical adventure to Neverland, as the Darling chil- dren meet Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys and of course the villainous Captain Hook.
“There will be flying (no ladders though!), fairy dust, traditional songs, dance, slapstick and a ticking crocodile – everything that makes a traditional, De Montfort Hall pantomime.”
Later this year there will be auditions for the roles of the two boys – John and Michael – as well as other youngsters to play the junior chorus.
The website has more information about how young actors can apply for the roles.
Peter Pan runs from Saturday, December 15, to Sunday, January 6, 2019.
At 1pm on Wednesday, June 2 there will be a relaxed performance for people with autistic spectrum condition, learning disabilities or other sensory or communication needs.
The performance will also have a British Sign Language translation.
A further show for the hearing impaired will take place at 5pm the same day.
To book by phone call the De Montfort Hall on 0116 233 3111.