CITY’S PANTO LINE-UP REVEALED... OH YES IT IS!
CHILDREN’S TV presenter and an X Factor finalist will be among the cast of Sleeping Beauty at De Montfort Hall this Christmas, the venue has announced.
Previously announced Wendi Peters as the Wicked Fairy and Leicester’s very own panto legend Martin Ballard will be joined by BAFTA-winning Children’s TV presenter and YouTuber Maddie Moate, who will be making her pantomime debut as the Good Fairy.
Maddie is best known for her CBeebies show Maddie’s Do You Know, as well as her hit YouTube show, Let’s Go Live, which she created during the pandemic.
Maddie said: “I am so delighted to be making my pantomime debut in Sleeping Beauty at De Montfort Hall this Christmas.
“After what has been a difficult time for all of us, what better way to be spending my Christmas than performing live in a theatre full of families making memories together. “I can’t wait to get started.” X Factor finalist Andy Abraham also joins the cast as the King.
Andy rose to fame in the 2005 series of X Factor wowing the audiences and judges with his powerful soul voice.
He has since gone on to have many hit albums, sell-out tours and represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Andy said: “I’m thrilled to be back in panto once again, especially after the difficult year we have all endured. What’s even more special, is that we are at the magnificent De Montfort Hall in Leicester which is a wonderful city that I have had the pleasure of performing in many times.”
Also joining the Sleeping Beauty cast is comedian Jarred Christmas, who will play the Jester.
He said: “As my surname is ChristA and I’m a comedian, it feels as though I was born to be in panto.
“I auditioned for the role of Sleeping Beauty, but they told me I was too hairy, so Jester it is and I’m super pumped and psyched and other words the kids say about being part of this awesome cast.
“I’m also a huge fan of Leicester. I’ve been coming to Leicester for 20 years performing in the Leicester Comedy Festival, hosting gala shows at De Montfort Hall and performing all over the city, then eating ice cream late at night.
“It’s the perfect place. Absolutely delighted to be putting my panto pants on in the resting place of Richard III this December.”
Completing the cast are illusionmas ists Matthew Pomeroy and Natasha Lamb as the Prince and Princess Beauty, who promise spectacular, jaw-dropping illusions that will thrill and excite, creating that pantomime magic that audiences have come to love.
■ Sleeping Beauty will be on at De Montfort Hall from Saturday, December 11 to Monday, January 3.
CAST FOR DE MONT PANTO IS FINALISED