Assembly Hall Theatre Announces ALADDIN as 2017 Christmas Pantomime

Director of Assembly Hall Theatre, John Jackson-Almond, today announced the all-star cast for the Christmas pantomime, Aladdin. In the title role of Aladdin will be CBBC's presenter, Dancing on Ice star and Pop Idol finalist Mark Rhodes. Playing opposite him as the pantomime villain will be EastEnders star, Michael Greco who will be joined by Britain's Got Talent quarter-finalist and woman of 1000 voices Jessica Robinson in the role of Slave of the Ring and Tom Whalley as PC Pong. Completing the cast and returning to Tunbridge Wells will be Chris Pizzey as Wishee Washee and Quinn Patrick as Widow Twanky. John Jackson-Almond will direct this classic 'rags to riches' tale, featuring a beautiful Princess, magic lamps and a hilarious genie and this production will be the only one in the South-East to be directed by the director of the theatre himself.

For the seventh year Assembly Hall theatre will open a real ice rink from the 17 November until January 1. The rink will be open from 11am daily until 8pm and will only be closed on Christmas day.

Former EastEnders heart throb Michael Greco plays Abanazar. He played Albert Square's bad boy Beppe di Marco from 1998 to 2002, a role that saw him win the British Soap Award for Sexiest Male in 1999 and 2000. An accomplished actor on stage and screen, including lead roles in Chicago, Exposure, William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and Kiss Me Kate, he recently featured in BBC1's medical drama Casualty and ITV's reality shows Celebrity Love Island as well as Soap Star Superstar.

Following her captivating performance in Britain Got Talent, Jess Robinson - the woman of a 1,000 voices will play the role of the Slave of the Ring. The voice of CBBC's hit show - Horrible Histories, Jess has also voiced adverts for The Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and BBC4. She is now a favourite on television shows and Edinburgh Fringe performing as Cheryl Cole, Hilary Clinton and Madonna.

Aladdin will be played by CBBC's presenter Mark Rhodes. Winner of 2015 BAFTA Children's Award as half of Sam & Mark, whose programmes include CBBC's Big Friday Wind-Up, Junior Bake Off and family gameshow, Copycats. Mark has also appeared in Dancing on Ice, Celebrity Wipeout and was a runner-up in Pop Idol.

Tom Whalley plays the hilarious PC Pong. On television, he appeared in the BBC3 series Shoplife. On stage, Tom performed as Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk and also toured the UK in Looking for Oz, played Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar at Durham Cathedral.

Chris Pizzey returns to Assembly Hall Theatre as Wishee Washee and is most well-known for his appearances in television's The Basil Brush Show and is currently starring in the hit West End production of The Comedy About a Bank Robbery.

Quinn Patrick returns to the stage in a glorious flurry of fabulous frocks as Tunbridge Well's magnificent Panto Dame, Widow Twankey.

John-Jackson Almond directs and recent directing credits include Three Days and Three Minutes with Larry (UK Tour), Cissie and Ada - An Hysterical Rectomy (UK Tour), Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens and Beauty and the Beast and Jack and the Beanstalk (Shaw Theatre).

For tickets and more information visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk.

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