Here's the cast so far for Beauty and the Beast - the pantomime at Halifax's Victoria Theatre
Oh yes he will! Andrew Pollard will play the dame for the second year running in the pantomime at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax.
He will play Dame Madeline Marzipan in this year’s offering, Beauty and the Beast.
He will be joined by Matthew Allen who takes on the comic role of French Frank in Victoria Theatre panto debut.
They will be joined by a familiar face. Sam Willison is reprising the role of the Prince/Beast which he last played at the venue six years ago.
Andrew is an actor, writer, and director with a celebrated career on stage and screen.
He has played Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days on Broadway and toured nationally in numerous productions.
A panto aficionado, as a writer, director and actor, 2019 saw Andrew win an OFFIE award for Best London pantomime.
Andrew wrote, directed, and played dame at Greenwich Theatre for 15 years.
Two years ago, he scooped up the Great British Panto Award for Best Ugly Sister.
This year, he is writing five pantomimes for theatres across the country.
Yorkshireman Andrew, who had the audience rolling in the aisles last year, said: “I’m so excited to be back doing panto on my home turf once again.
"I had such a blast last year with the terrific team at the Victoria Theatre and can’t wait to bring all the laughs and slapstick to the ‘tale as old as time’ – Beauty and the Beast.”
This will be Matthew’s first pantomime with Imagine Theatre.
He said: “I am so ecstatic to be performing in the beautiful, historic Victoria Theatre this Christmas.
"It’s a big moment for me, performing for the very first time with the incredible Halifax panto crowd. I am so excited to have a laugh and loads of fun with you all this holiday season.”
Since his last appearance in the Victoria Theatre panto Sam Willison has been touring the world performing on Cruise Liners, most recently appearing as Adam Maitland in Beetlejuice the Musical.
“I am so excited to be returning to the Victoria Theatre Halifax this year as it was where I made my panto debut and it is such a special theatre to me for that reason, he said.
" The Halifax audiences are amazing and I can’t wait spend my Christmas there again this year.”
Beauty and the Beast will once again be produced by Imagine Theatre, which has been bringing panto magic to Halifax for more than 10 years with productions including Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and Cinderella.
When an arrogant prince is cursed to live as a beast, his only hope of salvation is to find love before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. Can village girl Belle see beyond appearances and learn to love a beast?
Expect a festive feast packed with dazzling costumes, toe-tapping tunes, side-splitting comedy, and all the classic panto fun we all love. Make memories this festive season with this fun-filled Christmas cracker.
Beauty and the Beast runs at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, from Friday December 12 to Sunday January 4.
Tickets: 01422 351158 and victoriatheatre.co.uk