It’s Panto Time In Rotherham

The show was due to open on Friday December 3, but due to the cast not being able to reherse, the opening night has been pushed back a day.                                

Members of the public who had tickets for the night will be contacted by the box office to make alternative arrangements. 

During 2010, the grand, old Civic Theatre has been proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary and has brought many memorable theatre shows to the stage, but this production promises to be the greatest show of the year.

This year's pantomime is packed with comedy, songs, glamour and an array of fabulous stars.   

Headlined by West End star and television personality Darren Day and "STEPS" star Lee Latchford Evans, who will be sharing the role of the handsome Prince Antonio, the panto will be bringing the festive season to life for the 25,000 plus people who are estimated will see the show during its impressive six week run. 

Darren first rose to fame in 1993 for his starring role as Joseph in the West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.  

His accomplished musical theatre credits include "Don" in Summer Holiday, "Danny" in Grease, "Alfie" in Alfie and "Frank 'n' Furter" in The Rocky Horror Show.

He developed a career in television presenting TV favorites You Bet!, Don't Try This At Home and hosting The Children's Royal Variety Performance.  Recently, he joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, as the villainous character Danny Houston. 

Lee Latchford Evans is best known for his role in the 90's pop music phenomenon "Steps".  Throughout their career the group sold over 25 million records worldwide and achieved a prestigious Brit award.

Since "Steps" finished Lee has pursued an acting career, appearing in the West End in Grease and in feature films. He has also appeared on several reality television shows, including The Games, The Match and Fear Factor.          

Darren and Lee will be ably supported by the beautiful Stephanie Dooley as Snow White.   

Stephanie was born in South Yorkshire and made her stage debut as Leisl in The Sound of Music at Barnsley Civic Theatre.  

She has performed in The Good Old Days at the City Varieties in Leeds and appeared in the number one tour of Rocking Around The Christmas Tree with Alvin Stardust.  

Stephanie is already a veteran of the stage with leading roles in numerous pantomimes including Cinderella, Dick Whittington and Jack and the Beanstalk, as well as television appearances in Emmerdale, The Royal and Casualty.

Joining Darren, Lee and Stephanie will be Ben Nickless, the hilarious comedian who is returning by popular demand to Rotherham Civic Theatre after wowing crowds as Wishee Washee in 2007's production of Aladdin.

With successful summer seasons under his belt, Ben will be providing the laughs as the comical Joey the Jester.

Accompanying Ben, will be the comedy duo and pantomime veterans "Barricade", appearing as Horis and Boris, who will thrill audiences with their hilarious routines.

As well as the fantastic cast, the pantomime set is one of the glitziest ever seen and will transport audiences to the wonderful world of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 

Featuring a magic mirror with fantastic video imagery and the Wicked Queen's Chamber where she conjures up some evil spells. Audiences can take a sneaky look inside the seven dwarfs house and also see the dwarfs hard at work in the sparkling mine. 

West End and television star Darren said: "I love panto time and I hear it's amazing in Rotherham.  

"Ever since I moved to Yorkshire, people have been really welcoming, so I'm sure our panto audiences will give the whole cast a proper warm Yorkshire welcome.  We want it to be the best Rotherham panto ever!

"I always look forward to doing panto, there's nothing like it for interacting with the audience.  The cast this year are great so I can already tell there's going to be some fun on stage that the audience will enjoy. 

I love hearing the excitement of the kids as they come in, and as my own daughter, Maddy, is now four and old enough to enjoy panto, it'll be extra special to have her in the audience." 

Steps star Lee added: "The cast are very welcoming and I'm getting on with well everyone.  Its early stages but we are having great fun.   

I'm really looking forward to performing to the Rotherham crowd. It's my first panto in the north and people in the north are always very responsive and a great audience." 

Rotherham Theatres Manager, Mark Scott, said: "Many people have been asking when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs pantomime will be returning to the Civic Theatre and I'm pleased to say that it is back and will be, without doubt the best show the town has ever seen. 

"It is proving to be an extra special year because the Civic Theatre is celebrating its 50th anniversary and everyone connected with Rotherham Theatres are so proud of Rotherham's most treasured performance venue.   

"Pantomime in Rotherham has been phenomenally successful over the last 10 years due to excellent production values, first-class cast and the theatre lovers of Rotherham who loyally return year after year and who, we are grateful to, for their support.   

"This Christmas, we are going to have one of the best shows ever seen at the Civic Theatre. The past few years over 95% of the tickets have been sold and the best seats for Christmas week are already being snapped up. 

"Rotherham loves its pantomime and I hope everyone enjoys this marvellous show".  

Presented once again by Spillers Pantomimes, who are continuing their amazing success for their tenth consecutive year in Rotherham, tickets for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are on sale now. 

The show starts on December 4 and runs until January 9. Tickets are priced from just £10.00. 

To get your tickets please contact the Box Office on 01709 823621 / 01709 823640, or alternatively drop into the Box Office, located in the Central Library and Arts Centre on Walker Place to pick up your tickets in person. 

To book your tickets online quickly, safely and easily, go to www.rotherham.gov.uk/theatres and click on "Contact us - Theatre Tickets