SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (Birmingham Hippodrome) Pantomime Press Launch

In spectacular style Qdos Pantomimes and Birmingham Hippodrome launch a brand new pantomime Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs with an all-star line up that rivals any West End production. The show, which received its press launch on 23 September opens on Thursday 19th December 2013 for a six and a half week run with 77 performances until Sunday 2 February 2014. 

The cast features a dashing prince in the shape of John Partridge (Christian in Eastenders) whose theatrical roles until now have included Rum Tum Tugger in Cats and Electra in Starlight Express. John has recently finished a run as Zach in A Chorus Line at the London Palladium and said: "The Birmingham Hippodrome really is the London Palladium of pantomimes, it's the one to do!" The Birmingham Hippodrome has a long standing reputation as the venue for the UK's premiere pantomime and attracts the largest audience of any other in the world.

Making his panto debut in Birmingham is TV fashion guru Gok Wan as the Man In The Mirror: "This is the first pantomime I've ever performed in and what a touch to be able to get the biggest in the world! I must have done something right.... but we won't go into that!"

Another debut being made in Birmingham this Christmas is Gary Wilmot's Dame. Gary appeared in Cinderella at the Hippodrome in 1995, playing Buttons and has previously played Birmingham as Caractacus Potts in the touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. "Pantomime is quite often people's first experience of theatre and in my first time playing Dame I've got to make sure I get it right and make it a great experience for everyone watching."

BBC Over The Rainbow's search for Dorothy winner Danielle Hope was announced at the launch in the title role of Snow White. Danielle shot to fame after winning the Andrew Lloyd Webber reality series and playing Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz at the London Palladium. Danielle has since appeared as Fantine in the West End production of Les Misérables. "This is my first time in pantomime and my first time in Birmingham! From what I've seen of the town it's huge and the high street looks fab for shopping! It's great for me because it's equidistant from London where I live and Urmston in Manchester where I'm from and my family are!" 

Also featuring in the cast is Dynasty legend Stephanie Beacham as the Wicked Queen who realises panto can have a longer lasting effect than just a few hours entertainment: "Pantomime is family time, bring the children along and get them in young and they'll always be theatre-goers." Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin and puppet friend Sam also star in the show alongside Matt Slack as a new character Oddjob.

This pantomime promises to be highlight of the festive season in Birmingham with an ensemble of physical theatre performers bringing the magnificent seven dwarfs to life as you've never seen in a panto before! Summer may have only just left us but Birmingham Hippodrome is truly in festive fever for the opening of Britain's biggest pantomime. The countdown is on! 

Tickets for Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs are priced between £12 to £39 with discounts and concessions available. Tickets are already selling fast with sales even higher than this time last year for Robinson Crusoe And The Caribbean Pirates. If you haven't already got your tickets click here to book online and select your own seats. Alternatively visit the theatre box office in person or call 0844 338 5000. 

Listen to the pantomime interviews trailer below! 

FULL INTERVIEWS TO FOLLOW SOON!

Photographs by Scott Bird
Group Photograph by Birmingham Hippodrome