It might only be May and most of us have not even had our summer holiday yet, let alone thought about Christmas, but the planning for the theatre panto season is already well underway!

With Priscilla Presley having already been announced as making her Manchester stage debut this December in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, taking on the role of the Wicked Queen, we have just heard that she will be joined by Warwick Davis and Tam Ryan in what is sure to be a fabulous performance of one of the great fairytale classics.

With its traditional magnificent set and costumes, this year’s Christmas panto promises all of the customary pantomime elements that we have grown to love – the sensational songs accompanied by a live band, the sparkling costumes and dazzling dance routines, the hilarious slapstick comedy and lots of audience participation!

Warwick Davis, whose career now spans three decades and whom most of us will be familiar with from his roles in Willow, Star Wars and Harry Potter, as well as his TV roles in Life’s Too Short, Doctor Who, An Idiot Abroad 3 and Weekend Escapes, will star as Prof in the upcoming production.

Of his forthcoming role, Warwick said, “I am delighted to be appearing with Priscilla Presley in Snow White at the Manchester Opera House this Christmas. I am looking forward to working with the theatre, the cast and crew to bring you the best panto Manchester has ever seen. It’s a ‘tall order’ but I’m determined it won’t fall ‘short’ of audience expectations! I’m looking forward to seeing you all there!”

Warwick also appeared at the Opera House recently, together with his newly-formed Reduced Height Theatre Company, to perform See How They Run.

Having performed in the Opera House pantomime for the past four years, much-loved Lancashire-based comedian, actor and singer Tam Ryan is now a veteran and will be treading the boards once more this year to play the role of Muddles. Tam also recently appeared at the Opera House in The Easter Funny Show, which he co-wrote and co-produced alongside actor John Thomson.

Having played the Wicked Queen in a smash hit run at the New Wimbledon Theatre two years ago, Priscilla, who is probably most well-known for her co-starring role in the Naked Gun film series with Leslie Nielsen and for playing Jenna Wade in Dallas, is excited to be reprising her role here in Manchester saying, “I was introduced to the world of pantomime two years ago when I played Wicked Queen at Wimbledon. I can honestly say it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. My grandchildren absolutely loved seeing me on stage and I can’t wait to get that costume back on again and start terrorising the people of Manchester! It’s such a wonderful honour to be spending Christmas here and being part of this British festive family tradition”.

Having written many a pantomime, as well as having given superb panto performances at the Opera House in 2009/10 in Aladdin and in Dick Whittington in 2013/14, Eric Potts (who is best known for his role as baker, Diggory Compton, in Coronation Street), will once again be providing the script for this year’s performance. So, hi ho, hi ho, it’s off for tickets we go ……!

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP
Performances: Fri 5 Dec 2014 – Sun 4 Jan 2015
Tickets £10 – £39.50
Booking line: 0844 871 3018*
Groups/Schools Hotline: 0844 871 3038
Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/manchester*

*Booking and transaction fees can apply