THIS YEAR’S ALHAMBRA THEATRE PANTO – CINDERELLA - WILL DEFINITELY BE MAGICAL!
Earlier this year, Bradford Theatres revealed the return of pantomime legend Billy Pearce, who will lead the star-studded line up of Yorkshire’s biggest panto, alongside Emmerdale star Samantha Giles; celebrity baker and Strictly Come Dancing finalist John Whaite; with Dale Mathurin and Yorkshire local Sarah Pearson (who hails from Huddersfield).
The impressive line-up for this year’s spectacular pantomime will also include Phil Hitchcock as Magician Baron Hardup; and Wendy Somerville and Larissa Alexandrovnia as The Wicked Stepsisters.
Phil Hitchcock’s international reputation is certainly no illusion. Phil has previously graced the stage of The London Palladium in the smash hit production of Goldilocks. He returns to the Alhambra Theatre in the new role of Magician Baron Hardup in Cinderella, having last performed here in 2006/07 in Aladdin with Billy Pearce.
North Yorkshire-based Phil made his breakthrough stateside when he was asked to perform for Siegfried and Roy at the renowned Tropicana in Las Vegas. He has since been crowned the British Magical Grand Prix champion and was recently flown out to Disneyland to appear alongside Diana Ross. Phil’s career has spanned both spectacular magic and grand illusion shows showcasing the best in magic technology. He is one of Britain’s finest entertainers and when it comes to magic, he certainly has more than a few tricks up his sleeve.
On appearing at the Alhambra Theatre in this year’s pantomime, Phil said:
“I am so excited to be returning to the Alhambra Theatre and to be sharing the theatre and stage with so many good friends. The illusions for this year’s pantomime at the Alhambra Theatre have been specially designed and built to make it the best and most exciting show yet! The Secret Workshop and my technical team have been working for many months to create the spectacular effects for the show.”
Larissa Alexandrovnia trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Her theatre credits include Sister Act (UK Tour), Zanna, Don't! (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), The Little Mermaid the Musical (National Tour of China) and Mother Goose (Lamproom Theatre, Yorkshire).
Wendy Somerville’s theatre credits include Ilsa in The Book Thief (Belgrade Theatre & Curve Theatre), Pam in Saving Grace (Riverside Studios), The Magician’s Elephant, (Royal Shakespeare Company), Girl from the North Country (Gielgud Theatre & Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto), Local Hero (Royal Lyceum Theatre), School of Rock (Gillian Lynne Theatre), The 306: Day (National Theatre of Scotland, Perth Theatre & Stellar Quines), The Threepenny Opera, (National Theatre), Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre), Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre, UK & Ireland Tour), Sweeney Todd (Chichester Festival Theatre & Adelphi Theatre), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre) and Cinderella (London Palladium). Wendy has also appeared on television including Billy Elliot the Musical Live (Universal Pictures), Royal Variety Performance 2007 and 2010 (ITV), Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary (Universal Pictures) and Les Misérables Concert at Windsor Castle. Her recordings include Sweeney Todd (2012 London cast recording) and Michael Ball: Past and Present.
This year will also see the return of The Sunbeams to the Alhambra Theatre’s pantomime, provided by Sara Packham Theatre School in Keighley. The tradition of the Sunbeams (the children’s dance troupe) in pantomimes at the Alhambra Theatre can be traced back to the 1930s, under the leadership of Francis Laidler who built the venue in 1914 and directed many pantos there over the decades.
Cinderella will be produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind the 2022 production of Jack and the Beanstalk, Crossroads Pantomimes. The production will be packed full of the magical ingredients Bradford audiences have come to expect from their annual festive production - laugh out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her Prince Charming. The clock is ticking, so book your tickets now!
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