Open auditions announced for Croydon's 2016 pantomime

Q Productions have announced that open auditions will be taking place for their production of Aladdin. Producers are searching for young performers to appear in Croydon's 2016 pantomime.

Following the closure of Fairfield Halls to undergo a two-year refurbishment, Q Productions are producing Aladdin to ensure Croydon still has a pantomime this Christmas. 

As previously announced, the panto will run between 7th December and 31st December 2016 at Waddon Leisure Centre. The venue is being converted into a 400-seat theatre specially for the production. 

Q Productions to stage Aladdin in Croydon this Christmas

It has been announced that Q Productions will stage Aladdin in Croydon this December, ensuring the local community have a professional pantomime this Christmas.

For the production, the Waddon Leisure Centre will be converted into a 400 seat theatre space. The production will run between 7th and 31st December 2016. 

Teaming up with The Fairfield Trust and Waddon Leisure Centre, Q Productions will ensure the yearly pantomime goes ahead in Croydon, following the temporary closure of Fairfield Halls.

Panto Review: Aladdin at the Milton Keynes Theatre starring Gary Wilmot & Priscilla Presley

Aladdin 

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 10th December 2015

★★★

Nothing quite says Christmas like a good panto, and this year the Milton Keynes Theatre provides laughs for all the family with their production of Aladdin. 

Panto Review: Aladdin at the Shaw Theatre

Aladdin 
Shaw Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 16th December 2014
★★★★

I have seen some crazy pantos over the years, but the Shaw Theatre's production of Aladdin could quite possibly be the craziest. After being dazzled by Wimbledon's spectacular panto last week, it was nice to see a more simple pantomime which relies less on its big budget and star casting.

Big Interview: Oliver Thornton – from one extreme to another

Oliver Thornton, one of the West End’s biggest stars, is currently playing the title role in Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre alongside the likes of Jo Brand (who is making her pantomime debut), Matthew Kelly and David Bedella.

Oliver made his West End debut in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre, understudying Mary Sunshine. He has gone on to to play many leading roles in the West End including: Enjolras in Les Miserables (Palace/Queens), Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's), Mark in Rent (Duke of York’s) and Adam/Felicia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Palace). He also played Caboose/Rusty/Electra in Starlight Express in Bochum, before playing Rusty in the musical’s 2006 UK Tour. 

Most recently Oliver played Frank N. Furter to great acclaim in the UK Tour of The Rocky Horror Show. I recently spoke to Oliver about life in panto-land, how he dealt with going from playing Frank to Aladdin and what 2014 has in store…

How are you finding panto life so far? You must be feeling extremely Christmassy! 

[laughs] When you’re doing two shows every single day Christmas seems to just pass by in a haze! We’re having a really good time and the show has been very well received. We’ve sold fantastically well which is always great because panto is the kind of show which benefits from lively audiences!

Review: Jo Brand's pantomime debut in Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Jo Brand & Matthew Kelly

Aladdin

New Wimbledon Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 9th December 2013

Often referred to as London's must-see pantomime and known for casting big names, the New Wimbledon Theatre's panto is bigger and better than ever this year. Comedienne Jo Brand makes her pantomime debut in this year's show, at times she looks a little lost but Jo is also in her element and is secretly having the time of her life.

Jo Brand to make pantomime debut alongside Flawless, Oliver Thornton & Matthew Kelly in Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Casting has been announced for Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre. 

BAFTA-winning comedienne, writer and actress Jo Brand will make her pantomime debut as the Genie of the Ring. She will be joined by Street Dancers Flawless as the Peking Police Force and Olivier Award winning actor and television presenter Matthew Kelly as Widow Twanky. 

Jo Brand said: “I’m very much looking forward to doing my first panto, although I would have preferred Cinderella because I realise that I am a role model for many glamorous young women”.

The cast will also star Oliver Thornton (Priscilla Queen Of the Desert, Starlight Express, The Rocky Horror Show) as Aladdin and Olivier Award winning actor David Bedella (Jerry Springer – The Opera, The Rocky Horror Show) as Abanazar.

Jo Brand is a BAFTA-winning comedienne, writer, and actress. Jo began with early performances on Saturday Live and then went on to appear on Channel 4's Jo Brand Through the Cakehole followed by various television appearances including as a regular guest on QI and Have I Got News For You. In 2003, she was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. Most recently, Jo has written and starred in the hospital-based sitcom Getting On.