Panto time already? Oh yes it is!

If there’s anything as predicatble as the title of this article, it’s that there will be without fail, every year at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the staging of the country’s biggest and most eloborate pantomime.

Regardless of whether it be in December 2011 or in December 2012 when the world supposedly ends, you can bet your bottom dollar there’ll be a guy in drag calling all to the latest funfest that is the silliness of Christmas Panto. “Never mind the polar shift,” he’ll say “We’ve got Chris Eubank dressed up as Widow Twankie!”

Alas, this year the Hippodrome doesn’t have Eubank as Widow Twankie but judging by today’s press launch outside the city’s premier theatre, this year’s show is certainly going to be spectacular.

The clock has been ticking and the countdown is now officially on for the opening of the UK’s biggest pantomime production Cinderella, starring Brian Conley, Kathryn Rooney, Lynda Bellingham and Basil Brush.

Cinderella opens at Birmingham Hippodrome on Saturday 17th December and promises audiences a spectacular start to the festive season with breathtaking special effects, stunning costumes, great family fun and a few surprises too!

The festive production marks Brian Conley’s fifth starring role in a pantomime at Birmingham Hippodrome, playing Buttons or “Velcro” as he likes to put it, making him the first artist to do so at the prestigious theatre venue.  He first made his panto debut back in the 1992/3 production of Aladdin alongside Britt Ekland and has since gone on to enjoy record-breaking appearances.

Lynda Bellingham, best known as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women, makes her first ever appearance in a pantomime playing the Fairy Godmother, and Basil Brush, now considered to be a national treasure of children’s television will be playing the role of Baron Basil.

Also joing the cast is actress Kathryn Rooney as lead Cinderella and actors Martin Ramsdin and David Robbins playing the ugly sisters ‘Trinny‘ and ‘Susannah‘.

“I think you should all come and see us because it’s a family show, bring the whole family. I guarantee you will all have a good time,” Brian excitedly told us as we caught up with the cast this week. Watch more below:

CINDERELLA opens at Birmingham Hippodrome on Saturday 17 December 2011 and runs until Sunday 29 January 2012. Tickets  are priced from £13.60-£36.  School matinees £11.50. Performance times: eves, mats, Sunday performances.  Times vary enquiries when booking. Tickets can be booked on 0844 338 5000 or online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com.

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