Latest News

Birmingham Hippodrome welcomes star-studded cast of Britain’s biggest pantomime, Dick Whittington

14 September 2010

Hot on the tail of ‘Queen Rat’ Joan Collins (who officially launched Britain’s biggest pantomime Dick Whittington at Birmingham Hippodrome earlier this year), the rest of the star-studded cast came to the theatre to spread even more pantomime magic.

Julian Clary, Nigel Havers, Keith Harris, Orville, Cuddles and Jeffrey Holland visited the theatre to talk about their exciting Panto plans.

Julian Clary who, coincidentally, started his career as ‘The Joan Collins Fanclub’, made his Birmingham Hippodrome pantomime debut in the 2003/04 production of Cinderella. Julian, who will play the role of the Spirit of the Bells, has had a varied and very successful career from comedy, acting, presenting and writing. As well as his autobiography he has also written two novels and is currently touring the UK with his latest show.

‘The Charmer’ Nigel Havers, plays the down-trodden King Rat, who will no doubt have problems charming his on-stage wife, Queen Rat. Nigel was recently seen on our screens playing the role of Lewis Archer in Coronation Street. His numerous other television programmes include Lunch Monkeys, Little Britain, Brothers and Sisters, Sarah Jane Adventures and Dangerfield to name but a few. On film he has played roles in Empire of the Sun, A Passage to India and Chariots of Fire. Nigel last appeared on the Birmingham Hippodrome stage in Rebecca, one of the theatre’s highest grossing weeks of drama ever recorded!

In close pursuit will be the hapless Rat Catchers Keith Harris, Orville and Cuddles. One of Britain's most inventive and talented performers, Keith, together with his puppet creations, has starred in every major theatre throughout the UK, including two pantomime seasons at the London Palladium and Dominion Theatre, as well as starring in the 1985/6 production of Humpty Dumpty at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Playing the role of Dame Felicity Fitzwarren is Walsall-born actor Jeffrey Holland. As well as his numerous appearances on stage in the West End and throughout the UK, Jeffrey is well known for his television roles including the classic, hit programmes Are You Being Served?, Hi de Hi, You Rang M’Lord and Oh! Dr Beeching.

Jonathan Kiley, Director of Dick Whittington said “We are delighted to have put together such a stellar cast for the country’s biggest pantomime. Each year the pantomime at Birmingham Hippodrome continues to smash box office records, and I am looking forward to continuing that with the forthcoming season of Dick Whittington.”

Produced by the world’s largest pantomime producer, Qdos Entertainment, Dick Whittington runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 18 December 2010 to Sunday 30 January 2011.