SU POLLARD, JEFFREY HOLLAND AND IAN ADAMS TO STAR IN DICK WHITTINGTON!

It has been announced today that Su Pollard and Jeffrey Holland will star in Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s 2019/20 pantomime DICK WHITTINGTON!

Opening on 7 December, Su will play the evil Queen Rat and Jeffrey will play Alderman Fitzwarren. The duo who starred together in TV sitcoms Hi-De-Hi, Oh, Doctor Beeching! and You Rang M’Lord? will be reunited on stage alongside the Grand Theatre’s much-loved pantomime Dame, Ian Adams who returns for a fourth consecutive year.

Su Pollard was last in a Grand Theatre pantomime an impressive 43 years ago where she played Dame in a production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. She has since appeared at the Grand Theatre as the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet and as Miss Hannigan in Annie. Jeffrey Holland played Dame in the Grand’s 1999 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk and most recently played Danny in the Grand Theatre’s in-house production of Brassed Off.

Ian Adams returns having starred in Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty, winning Best Pantomime Dame in the Midlands in the What’s On Readers Awards – the same awards in which the Grand Theatre pantomime has won Best Pantomime for the past two years and is currently nominated in the same category for a third year running.

One of the nation’s favourite entertainers, Su Pollard has appeared on screen and on stages across the UK for four decades. She shot to fame as chalet maid Peggy in Hi-De-Hi, later starring in You Rang M’Lord? and Oh, Doctor Beeching!. During her career she has appeared on countless television programmes, with highlights including Two Up Two Down, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and numerous chat shows, quiz shows and reality televisions series. No stranger to the stage, Su starred in the worldwide tour of Annie as Miss Hannigan and starred in the West End in Godspell, Me and My Girl, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Menopause the Musical, and Shout!. Su regularly stars in pantomime every festive season, solidifying her reputation as one of the art form’s best loved leading ladies.

Jeffrey Holland is also best known for Hi-De-Hi, starring as Spike, and working with Su on You Rang M’Lord? and as Mr Parkin the stationmaster in Oh, Dr. Beeching!. The Walsall born actor has also enjoyed a lengthy stage career, including seasons at the Chichester Festival theatre, summer seasons and West End work including Run For Your Wife and Travels With My Aunt. He has also worked extensively in radio and on television, with roles in iconic sitcoms including It Ain’t Half Hot, Mum, Are You Being Served?, Dad’s Army and Russ Abbot’s Madhouse. Jeffrey is about to embark on a new leg of his one man show My Friend Mr Laurel after two sell-out seasons at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. DICK WHITTINGTON marks his 46th pantomime season.

The Grande Dame of the Grand, Ian Adams will also return to star as Sarah the Cook, bringing with him all the fabulous frocks, outrageous comedy and magnificent musical routines audiences have come to expect from the renowned pantomime, stage and cabaret star. DICK WHITTINGTON marks his fourth consecutive outing as Dame in Wolverhampton, having appeared alongside recent stars including Debbie McGee, Gareth Gates, Doreen Tipton, and even Sooty.

Grand Theatre Chief Executive and Artistic Director Adrian Jackson said; “I am delighted that Su and Jeffrey will star in our pantomime this year. Su Pollard has worked extensively in theatre and television and is known and loved for her larger than life personality and infectious presence which lends itself so naturally to pantomime. It will be very special to reunite her onstage with her sitcom partner Jeffrey Holland who is a Grand Theatre favourite and always welcomed by our audiences. Ian Adams, winner of Best Panto Dame In The Midlands will return for a fourth consecutive year and I look forward to working him with once again.”

In what promises to be another spectacular Grand Theatre pantomime and a 125th anniversary spectacular, join hero Dick Whittington as he seeks fame, fortune and happiness to become the Lord Mayor of London.

Guided by the magical Fairy Bow Bells on an adventure that sends him from London town to the High Seas headed for Morocco, can he outwit the evil Queen Rat, free London from her team of revolting rodents and win the beautiful Alice’s hand in marriage? Find out in the ultimate magical pantomime adventure!

DICK WHITTINGTON will be another action-packed pantomime full of laughter, music and eye-popping special effects that audiences have come to expect of a Grand Theatre pantomime with Qdos Entertainment!

The local partner for DICK WHITTINGTON will be Dudley Zoo.

Tickets for DICK WHITTINGTON from Saturday 7 December 2019 – Sunday 12 January 2020 are now on sale. Tickets can be booked in person at the theatre, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.