Panto Cast Announced For CINDERELLA At The Bristol Hippodrome

The Bristol Hippodrome have announced that comedy legend, musical theatre, television and Strictly star Brian Conley and celebrity style guru and television presenter Gok Wan will star in this year's spectacular production of the Fairy Godmother of all Pantomimes, Cinderella, from Saturday 8 December.

In a career spanning three decades Brian has appeared in award-winning West End musicals and television sitcoms, presented his own chat shows, recorded three albums and completed numerous sell-out tours of the UK. Most recently he was a contestant on the 15th series of BBC 1's Strictly Come Dancing. Coupled with pro-dancer Amy Dowden Brian was fifth to leave the competition, not before wowing the nation with his endearing dance routines and loveable personality.

On stage he has starred as Edna Turnblad in the hit West End musical Hairspray and the title role in the UK tour of Barnum, previously at The Bristol Hippodrome. Brian has completed a nationwide tour of Brother Love, celebrating the music of Neil Diamond, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, starred in the nationwide tour of Oliver! playing Fagin, played the title role in Jolson, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award, and had leading roles in Me and My Girl, The Music Man and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This year Brian will embark on his latest UK tour, Still the Greatest Entertainer (in his Price Range).

Gok Wan will play The Fairy Gokmother, offering helpful style tips to The Ugly Sisters and creating the most magical ball gown in panto-land for Cinderella! Cinderella marks Gok's sixth pantomime appearance, the first of which was the subject of the Channel 4 documentary Gok Does Panto. Cinderella marks Gok and Brian's fourth pantomime together.

Gok's TV career started with the overwhelming success of his Channel 4 series, How To Look Good Naked, which proved so successful that a further six series were filmed, as well as three series of Gok's Fashion Fix. Gok's other recent TV credits include How To Cook Chinese, Gok's Style Secrets, Gok Live Stripping For Summer, Too Fat Too Young and Gok's Teen's The Naked Truth. Gok is a regular guest presenter on ITV1's This Morning and hosted ITV1's Gok's Lunchbox.

Bristol audiences shall go to the ball this Christmas as Cinderella transforms from rags to riches, outwits her very Ugly Sisters, and with the help of her hilarious friend Buttons and one very magical Fairy Godmother, wins the heart of the dashing Prince Charming. Cinderella will feature all of the ingredients of the perfect pantomime; a fabulous cast and orchestra, laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery and special effects, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses for all the family to enjoy. Cinderella will once again be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world's biggest pantomime producer continuing their partnership with Hippodrome operators, ATG.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment's pantomime division said: "We are absolutely delighted to be back in Bristol this Christmas and thrilled that Brian and Gok will be leading the cast. Brian has won legions of new fans following his short-lived success on Strictly, and is the ultimate showman, and Gok is an absolute natural at pantomime, and both have a fantastic chemistry which delights audiences every festive season. Audiences will be in for a treat as they bring comedy, stunning vocals, fashion tips and plenty of surprises to the production packed full of music, dance, laughter and audience participation."

Jenny Hutchinson, Theatre Director said "This is incredible news for us coming at a time when The Bristol Hippodrome is breaking box office records and our customers are already planning their panto excursions. Having Brian and Gok starring in Cinderella this year will delight Bristol audiences. Off the back of a great run last year with Aladdin, with many customers saying it was the best panto they'd ever seen, I'm thrilled QDOS Entertainment have raised the bar even higher!"

The clock is ticking! Don't miss your chance to see Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes. Book your tickets to the Ball today!

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