A huge ITV and BBC star has joined this year’s Birmingham Hippodrome cast as he says ‘I’ve heard Birmingham audiences are like no other’.
Rylan Clark will headline this year’s Birmingham Hippodrome pantomime Sleeping Beauty over the Christmas period.
He will be joined by Pop Idol and theatre star Zoe Birkett, panto dame Andrew Ryan and Hippodrome panto favourite Matt Slack.
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BAFTA award-winning television presenter, radio DJ, podcaster and author Rylan is best known for hosting BBC Radio 2’s Rylan on Saturday, the acclaimed BBC series Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour, as well as Eurovision, Homophobia, Football and Me, This Morning and Celebrity Gogglebox.
As the Diva of Dreams in Sleeping Beauty, Rylan will be on hand to bring the magic to help Princess Aurora defeat the evil Carabosse.
Rylan said: “I’m already so excited for panto season and getting to spend Christmas in Birmingham!
“I’ve heard Birmingham audiences are like no other, so I cannot wait to experience it for myself and bring all the fun, fabulousness and chaos to this year’s panto as the Diva of Dreams. We’re going to have such a laugh… oh yes we are!”
Rylan joins the previously announced Matt Slack, who returns to Birmingham Hippodrome in the role of Lester the Jester for his 13th consecutive year, with Sleeping Beauty marking his 24th pantomime.
Rylan Clark, Zoe Birkett and Andrew Ryan are joining Matt Slack in Birmingham Hippodrome’s Sleeping Beauty -Credit:Birmingham Hippodrome
Zoe Birkett will join the cast as the evil Carabosse. She first rose to fame as the highest-placed female finalist on ITV’s Pop Idol, before forging an acclaimed career in musical theatre.
She recently starred as Tina Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and won the award for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for her role as Arabia in Moulin Rouge, where she also played Satine. Her stage credits also include The Bodyguard, The Witches and The Great British Bake Off Musical, alongside lead roles in Thriller Live and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Also announced is the return of Andrew Ryan, who will mark a 10th season as Birmingham’s favourite Dame in the role of The Queen.
Michael Harrison, chief executive of Crossroads Pantomimes, said: “Rylan has become one of the country’s most recognisable and loved broadcasters and Zoe Birkett is an exceptional West End performer. I am delighted to welcome them to this year’s panto cast, alongside Birmingham panto favourites Matt Slack and Andrew Ryan.
“Together, they’re going to make Sleeping Beauty a brilliant treat for audiences at the biggest regional pantomime in the country.”
Jon Gilchrist, artistic director and chief executive at Birmingham Hippodrome, added: “We can’t wait for Rylan and Zoe to join us in Birmingham for the festive season. Alongside Matt Slack and Andrew Ryan, who returns for his 10th year as our Dame, they are going to bring big laughs, huge charm and tons of talent.
“Panto is such a special time for us at the Hippodrome – and this is certainly the cast of dreams!”
Birmingham Hippodrome’s Sleeping Beauty will feature sets and costumes direct from The London Palladium.
Sleeping Beauty will run at Birmingham Hippodrome between Saturday, December 19, and Sunday, January 31. Tickets are available to book at Birmingham Hippodrome’s website, or by calling 0121 689 3000.