ALHAMBRA THEATRE PANTO CELEBRATES CHINESE YEAR OF THE DRAGON!

In this year’s Alhambra Theatre pantomime, Robin Hood, Bradford panto favourite Billy Pearce and the rest of the cast encounter a spectacular, smoke-breathing dragon, which magically takes to the air and flies out over the audience.

According to Chinese legend, the image of the dragon is mystical, noble and untouchable and is one of the most auspicious animals in China.  The Dragon in this year’s panto may be all of this but he is also revealed as a very friendly Yorkshire dragon and he’s celebrating 2012 being “his” year.

• The dragon is called Sid…
• He has an 8 metre wing span
• He is 4 metres tall and his neck is 2 metres long
• His tail is over 4 metres long
• He is the brain-child and creation of Paul and Gary Hardy-Brown from The Twins FX
• He travelled to Bradford in a stage road-trunk that you could park a small car in
• He took 3 months to build and has 800 diamante jewels glued to his skin
• He has just signed a 5 year contract with Qdos Entertainment to star in other pantomimes up and down the country
• Sid loves to eat the red jelly beans and at night flies over Bradford after the show to stretch his wings before bed!

Sid, the Dragon says:

“Many dragons in my family have been entertainers and I’m delighted to follow in their claw-steps.  Drama has been in my family’s blood, well, scales at least, for generations.  My great Uncle was the understudy for the dragon in the blockbusting movie A Never Ending Story, and my Auntie Susan closely missed out on the role of the lady Dragon in Shrek.  So far I’ve had parts in Casualty, Eastenders and The Bill.  But this year my dream has come true, starring alongside my idol Billy Pearce.  What a great start to the Year of the Dragon!”

The Twins, Europe’s hottest illusionists, are truly a two-of-a-kind entertainment phenomenon.  Since their parents bought them a magic set when they were eight, Gary and Paul Hardy-Brown have refined their skills and today are masters of their art.  This is not the first time that the magic of The Twins has stunned Alhambra Theatre audiences.  Their illusions have been seen on the Bradford theatre’s stage in productions of Aladdin, Jack and The Beanstalk and the David Essex musical, All the Fun of the Fair.

“Special effects, too, were impressive. The flying dragon added some wow factor as did the enchanted waterfall.” Yorkshire Post – Robin Hood, Dec 2011

“…a smoke-breathing dragon flying over the audience – which was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen in a panto – this is a spectacular production.” Telegraph & Argus – Robin Hood, Dec 2011

“There is gasp-inducing spectacle from Twins Worldwide Ltd, including a huge dragon, with a lovely Yorkshire accent, coming out over the audience….” The Stage – Robin Hood, Dec 2011

Robin Hood - The Pantomime Adventure, West Yorkshire’s biggest pantomime, runs at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford until Sunday 5 February 2012. Tickets from £9, with concessions available, can be booked on 01274 432000 or online here (booking fees apply).

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