Jonny Awsum and Paisley Billings to Star in Croydon's Family Panto JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Television favourites JONNY AWSUM and Paisley Billings will star in this year's family pantomime, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, at Croydon's Waddon Theatre at Waddon Leisure Centre from Thursday 7th - Sunday 31st December 2017.

Croydon's very own comedian JONNY AWSUM, who performed on ITV's Britain's Got Talent live semi-final to huge acclaim earlier this year, will play Jack's hapless and unlucky-in-love brother, Billy Trott. Jonny exploded on to the comedy scene with his feel-good brand of musical comedy, receiving five-star reviews for his show Everything is Awsum. As well as notching up 1,000 live shows around the world, Jonny has been a featured guest-presenter on Absolute Radio, recorded his first album (available on iTunes) and is heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer with his brand new show, Honey, I Promised the Kid.

Jonny said: 'I'm delighted to be joining the cast of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK and look forward to entertaining the local community in the role of Billy Trott. As a dad of two young children, it's also really special to be involved with keeping the much-loved family tradition of pantomime alive in my home town of Croydon this Christmas."

South Londoner Paisley Billings, who will play the fun-loving and funky Fairy, is much-loved by television audiences as the straight-talking and confident receptionist on E4's Tattoo Fixers. Born and raised in South London, Paisley trained as a professional dancer from the age of 7, and then in Musical Theatre at Arts Educational Schools and New York Film Academy, making her West End debut when she was 11. Following recent screen credits including Celebs Go Dating, Big Brother's Bit On The Side and 8 Out Of 10 Cats with Jimmy Carr, Paisley is now looking forward to new adventures on stage and screen - particularly bringing a fresh twist to the role of Fairy in Croydon this Christmas!

Paisley said: "I'm really excited to be joining the cast of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK as the fun-loving funky Fairy in what will be my first ever pantomime role. I can't wait to bring some sass and style to the stage of Waddon Theatre this December!"

Following the success of last year's production of ALADDIN, seen by over 14,000 people, Q Productions is delighted to be bringing panto to Croydon for a second year running with family-favourite JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, ensuring that the local community will once again enjoy a traditional Christmas treat!

The Waddon Theatre at Waddon Leisure Centre will be converted into a 400-seat theatre space throughout December, offering wonderful family entertainment that all ages can enjoy together. The theatre will have a brand new seating plan for this year's show which ensures every seat in the house has the best view possible.

Packed full of side-splitting comedy, stunning special effects and lavish costumes, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK will be a fully-produced professional pantomime, with a cast of West End performers and local young talent. Open auditions will be held later in the year for young performers from the local community to join the juvenile ensemble, providing a fantastic opportunity to work alongside professional dancers and performers.

Audiences will be taken on a magical adventure with Jack as he discovers some magic beans which leads him to find an enchanted beanstalk ... and a rather ill-tempered and mean Giant! Head to the magical land of 'Croydonia' where song, dance, and silliness are the order of the day and join Jack, his mum Dame Trott, and their treasured cow Daisy on their adventure, as they fall about laughing, fall over and get truly covered in foam and grunge!

Teaming up with Waddon Leisure Centre, Q Productions will ensure JACK AND THE BEANSTALK will be the best and most welcoming pantomime yet! Q Productions is the sister company of The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, established to present professional productions throughout the UK. The company is delighted to continue producing theatre work in Croydon to ensure residents still have local access to the arts.

Follow all the latest news about JACK AND THE BEANSTALK visit www.thecroydonpanto.com
and follow @TheCroydonPanto on Twitter and @CroydonPanto on Facebook.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK runs from Thursday 7th - Sunday 31st December 2017 (times vary, check website). Tickets, priced from £12.50 - £18.50, are now on sale from the website: www.thecroydonpanto.com. For group bookings (10+), call the groups hotline: 01494 917519.

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