Jack and the Beanstalk will run at DMH from December 15, 2023 to January 7, 2024.
De Montfort Hall and Imagine Theatre are delighted to announce that X Factor Winner Sam Bailey, A1’s Mark Read and Leicester’s favourite funny man Jarred Christmas will join the previously announced Scott Mills on stage this year in their giant pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Sam Bailey stole the hearts of the nation when she won the tenth series of ITV’s The X Factor in 2013. Her debut single, Skyscraper, reached Christmas number one and her debut album, The Power of Love, stormed to the top of the UK album charts in 2014, the same year she also performed as a support act for Beyonce’s UK tour.
Sam has since toured the UK a number of times and is no stranger to the stage. Aside from her many pantomime performances, Sam has been cast in Chicago, Fat Friends The Musical, The Vampires Rock Musical Tour and, more recently, as Mrs Potts in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast the Musical.
Sam, who will play Fairy Flutterby, said "I'm so pleased to be back doing panto. It makes people so happy, and Christmas is my favourite time of year. I can’t wait to get back on that amazing stage at De Montfort Hall with all the cast. I’m going to laugh… A LOT."
Joining as the loveable Jack is singer and songwriter Mark Read, best known as a member of the British-Norwegian band A1. In 1998, their debut single, "Be The First To Believe", entered the UK Singles Chart at number six, followed by a string of top five hits, before hitting the number one spot with their cover of A-ha’s classic, "Take on Me". A1 went on to have many international hits, achieving great success in the UK and Europe, winning countless awards, including MTV, Smash Hits, and a Brit award.
To date, they have released seven albums and amassed record sales of nearly 10 million worldwide. Mark has written songs for a number of artists including Michael Bolton and Boyzone. He produced and co-wrote family musical, Noah a Musical Adventure, and toured in several shows. He has also appeared in six pantomimes.
Mark said: "I'm really excited to be working with Imagine and to be back in panto land which I love. It’s a really lovely, fun place to be at Christmas, it feels a bit like family and that’s what panto is all about. I love a physical, action-packed show, so can’t wait to get climbing that beanstalk!"
Comedian and actor Jarred Christmas is well known for his years on TV in shows such as Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Russell Howard’s Good News and Let’s Dance for Comic Relief. To the delight of Leicester audiences, Jarred will return for his third appearance in a De Montfort Hall panto, this time playing Lazy Larry.
Jarred adds: "I'm so pleased to be back in Leicester. This is my hat trick here in panto and it holds a really important place in my heart. I mean, there’s a cow, there’s a giant, there’s a load of action and a tonne of laughs. AND the cast is incredible so make sure you come along. Wall-to-wall good times."
Scott Mills said of his fellow cast members: "How exciting to be treading the De Montfort Hall boards alongside Sam, Mark and Jarred for my stage debut. Teaming up with these guys feels like I’ve stumbled into the ultimate panto boot camp!"
"We’ve got a wonderful cast this year," said DMH venue director, Antony Flint. "A few familiar faces and some exciting new ones too. The cast and crew are sure to provide a classic De Montfort Hall panto, full of hit songs, comedy, family interaction - exactly what Leicester expects from us every Christmas!"
The Trotts are so poor they don’t have a bean to their name, and what’s more there’s an evil and greedy giant terrifying the village. Will they really have to sell Buttercup, the family cow, just to survive? Come and see if Jack can defeat the giant, win the heart of the girl he loves and turn the Trotts’ fortunes around.
A magical pantomime for all the family full of sensational songs, jokes galore, plenty of audience participation and tonnes of fun. Book your tickets via De Montfort Hall's website.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Friday, December 15, 2023 to Sunday, January 7, 2024
Tickets from £15.25 (Children) or £21.75 (Adults)
0116 233 3111
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