We have our ‘Dame for a laugh’ – Panto legend Matt Dallen will play our dame , Sarah the Cook, at this year’s panto.
He has more reasons than most to be excited this year, as he has been cooking up a little surprise of his own. Matt is due to become a dad for the second time just before the season starts.
So one of the first sights of his new son or daughter will be to see their dad on stage, fooling about in a frock in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The consistent high quality of the Brindley pantomime has attracted record crowds and amazing reviews, year on year.
The Brindley Theatre has developed a popular pantomime cast, which this year includes local favourites, Rebecca Lake as Snow White, Andrew Curphey as Muddles, Charlie Griffiths as Fairy and Chris Pym as the Prince.
Also appearing this year is Michael Starke, the star of stage, screen and TV shows such as Brookside, Coronation Street and The Royal, who will be playing the Huntsman and his actress wife Lynne Francis as the Wicked Queen.
Matt said he is delighted to be back on what will be his 10th pantomime season with New Pantomime Productions, with such a great cast.
He said: “I can’t wait to spend the season performing at The Brindley as it will be the first time I have stepped onto its beautiful stage.”
If you recognise Matt, that’s not surprising. He is a presenter for Holiday & Cruise TV SKY 256 & Freeview 81 Co-Presenter on THIS MORNINGS “Jingle Jackpot” with Tim Vincent (ITV)
He has also appeared in Hollyoaks, where his characted was a policemen.
When away from the stage Matt heads up the actors at The Crystal Maze Live Experience in Manchester and also loves spending time with his family.
But it is in theatre, Matt has really made his mark. Here are just some of his roles!
Professional Theatre Credits include:BILLY GOOSE in Mother Goose (Theatre Severn)MUDDLES in Snow White (Theatre Severn) Mr MULLINS in Halloween Spooktacular (Hippodrome Circus, Gt Yarmouth) SIMPLE SIMON in Jack and the Beanstalk (Kings Theatre) BUTTONS in Cinderella (Kings Theatre)
He played GEPETTO & FREDDY FOX in Pinocchio for Starbright Entertainment (UK Tour) CHESTER THE JESTER in Sleeping Beauty (Princess Theatre, Torquay) BEN POLLOCK/DON HAYNES/CORONEL KIRBY in Bugle Boy (UK tour & West End).
Matt was LEAD VOCALIST for Main Feature Productions (Bahrain Formula 1) CHESTER THE JESTER in Sleeping Beauty (Kings Theatre, Southsea)
He played CHESTER THE JESTER in Sleeping Beauty (Grand Opera House, York) BUTTONS in Cinderella (William Aston Hall, Wrexham) WISHEE WASHIE in Aladdin (William Aston Hall, Wrexham) BERT in Mary Poppins, JEAN VALJEAN & MARIUS in Les Miserable, BUDDY in Buddy Holly, MUDDLES in Snow White (Colwyn Bay) BEAST in Beauty & the Beast, JAFAR in Aladdin.
He played CAPTAIN STAR in The Kosmic Krew (Summer in Abu Dhabi) DICK in Dick Whittington (National Tour) SCARECROW in The Wizard of OZ (M&M Theatrical Productions) LEAD MALE VOCALIST in We Will Rock You & Mama Mia(MS Victoria for Romantic Corprate) LORD CHAMBERLIN in Sleeping Beauty(White Rock Theatre, Hastings) PERCHIK in Fiddler on the Roof (Devonshire Park, Eastbourne) NICK PIAZZA in Fame (Gaiety Theatre, I.O.M).
As if that wasn’t enough, he waswas also Cruise Director on the Marco Polo for CMV, Assistant Cruise Director on the Thomson Cruises.
His directing Credits Include: Charlottes Web, Dick Whittington, Sleeping Beauty, Wizard of OZ, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and A Little Princess.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for The Brindley, Cllr Phil Harris, said: “Once again we have a great cast for this year’s panto. So get your tickets before your favourite seats sell out.”
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattdallen82
Tickets are priced from £15 and include Family Tickets and Concessions for Groups of 20 plus. There are also special prices for schools and uniformed Groups.
The pantomime opens on Wednesday 11 December and runs to Sunday 12 January 2020, with a Signed performance on Sunday 29 December and a Relaxed performance on Sunday 5 January.
For tickets and information see: www.thebrindley.org.uk or call the box office on 0151 907 8360