A Magical Line-Up Coming Together For the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple Panto

We have reached the half way point in the year and casting is coming along nicely for The Queen’s Theatre spectacular family pantomime Aladdin.

 Alongside the previously announced Ian Hallard and Matthew Baldwin the Queen’s Theatre are delighted to have both Jenny Perry and Sophie Ayers returning.

 Jenny, who played Dandini at the Queen’s Theatre last Christmas, is currently touring in The Wizard of Oz as the Wicked Witch of the West. For panto she will be going from villain to hero as she takes on the title role of Aladdin – the poor Chinese boy seeking both riches and the hand of the Princess.

 The Princess will be played by Sophie Ayers who performed the title role of Cinderella last year. Currently Sophie, who has appeared in the West End Productions of We Will Rock You and Loserville, is starring in the sell-out production of West Side Story at Kilworth House.

 Also joining the cast will be Aaron Gibson as the larger than life Genie of Lamp. Aaron played the role in Southport Theatre last year for which the Liverpool Echo compared him to Charles Hawtry with the Southport Visitor calling “fun, fun, fun” while The Stage described him as “splendid”.

 Steve Boden from Imagine Theatre who co-produce the panto says “Jenny was an excellent Dandini last year and has the perfect personality for the bright and cheeky character of Aladdin, whilst Sophie’s beautiful voice makes her ideal for the princess. Aaron had everyone in stitches as the Genie in Southport last year so we are delighted he has agreed to reprise the role in Barnstaple as the audience will love him.”

Ian and Matthew return to the Queens Theatre, Barnstaple to play Widow Twankey and Abanazar

The Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple are delighted to welcome back Ian Hallard and Matthew Baldwin for their spectacular family pantomime Aladdin which opens on Saturday 10 December.

Ian and Matthew starred as the gruesome twosome, Flatula and Verruca, Cinderella’s ugly sisters in last year’s pantomime and were hugely popular with both critics and audiences. The North Devon Gazette said they “give a blend of villainous slapstick – with just enough menace for young audiences. It’s occasionally – and wonderfully – borderline sinister in the very best traditions of the panto baddies we love to hate.”

This year Ian will be casting off his villainous persona to play pantoland’s most famous laundress, Widow Twankey while Matthew will once again be displaying his sinister side as the devious and power hungry magician Abanazar.

Matthew says “we are delighted to have been asked back to the Queen’s Theatre as we both had a fabulous time here last Christmas and I am really looking forward to being very very wicked again this year.”

Steve Boden, Managing Director of Imagine Theatre who co-produce the show says “We are delighted to have Ian and Matthew back at the Queen’s Theatre as they were excellent as the Ugly Sisters. They work really well together so I am looking forward to seeing a different dynamic between them when they are on opposite sides of good and evil!”