Accessible Events
Aladdin Pantomime 2023/4
Grand Theatre Main Auditorium,
7:00pm | 5:00pm
- Flashing Lighting or Strobes
- Pyrotechnics
Overview
Blackpool’s No.1 pantomime for 2023/4 has been confirmed as Aladdin and will once again be presented by Martin Dodd for UK Productions Ltd. in association with Blackpool Grand Theatre.
Blackpool Pantomime, Aladdin, sees the return of West End star and TV soap sensation Tom Lister (as Abanazar) joining comic and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle (as Wishee Washee)! Many will remember the incredible duo in our 2019 smash-hit panto Peter Pan in 2019!
Joining Tom and Steve is the wonderful Ben Harlow, who most recently played Kyle, the UPS Guy in the UK & Ireland Tour of Legally Blonde, as Widow Twankey; Mervin Noronha as Aladdin (The Wizard of Oz at Leicester Curve, Antigone at Regent’s Park, Wonderville at the Palace Theatre); and Moo Yi Kim as our very own Princess Jasmine, who trained at Trinity Laban.
Lister is probably best known for the nine years he spent playing Carl King in Emmerdale, which he left when he was dramatically killed off in a live episode in 2012 – thank goodness there will be no such calamities befalling him in this show! Since then, he has been involved in many musicals in the UK and abroad. He’s played Julian Marsh in 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the West End for 2 years. Additionally, Wild Bill in Calamity Jane – No1 UK Tour, Callaghan in Legally Blonde – South Korea, and Grimes/Eel in Water Babies – Leicester Curve. His other TV credits include Heartbeat, Doctors and The Bill.
Join our hero Aladdin, his mother Widow Twankey and his brother Wishee Washee as they embark on a magical adventure and try to defeat the evil Abanazar and his plan to become master of the world. With help from the Genie of The Lamp and the Spirit Of The Ring.
Will Aladdin save the day, will he marry the beautiful Princess Jasmine? Will the Genie be freed? There’s only one way to find out… come see Aladdin, Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime!
An enchanting tale of magic, mayhem and misunderstandings live on the Grand Theatre’s famous stage. Blackpool Pantomime, Aladdin is a laugh-a-minute extravaganza with stunning sets, musical hits, fabulous costumes and amazing special effects to keep audiences both young and old entertained!
Only if you are in a position to do so, please do support our Magic and Sparkle campaign giving access to pantomime to children and families that have never experienced the magic or have financial barriers in place making it beyond their means. To learn how you can help visit our Magic and Sparkle page, or call the box office on 01253 290190.
Access Performances
Audio-Described/Signed Performances Sat 9 and Sat 16 December (2pm), and Thu 28 December (1pm)
Relaxed ‘Chilled’ Performance* Thu 28 December (5pm) | Relaxed Performance seats just £20
* A ‘relaxed/chilled’ environment performance is perfect for anyone who benefits from a more relaxed performance environment, being able to make a noise, leave and return to their seat or access the toilets during the performance. This would include customers with dementia, anxiety, Tourette’s, bowel and bladder conditions, an autism spectrum condition, or a learning disability. Even a child’s first experience of a theatre or panto. There will be a few technical adjustments made to the performance. They are not suitable for customers with sensory sensitivities. All seats are £20
Aladdin Pantomime | Children and Families
Here we have listed some information about bringing children to the theatre or coming as a family. As parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, or group organisers we all love to be prepared! Age guidance and Babes in Arms tickets for family shows and more.
Education and Group bookings
Education/Group bookings can be made by calling our special line 01253 743232. A free teacher’s place is provided with every 10 tickets purchased.
SAVE 20% ON MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS (BLACKPOOL) ATTRACTION TICKETS
Blackpool Grand Theatre and Merlin Entertainments Blackpool unite to offer an Exclusive 20% Off Merlin attraction tickets with every Aladdin pantomime ticket. For further details on the offer click here
Show information
START
Running time
Approx. 2hrs 30min (subject to participation)
END
- Flashing Lighting or Strobes
- Pyrotechnics
Follow Aladdin Pantomime 2023/4 on Social Media
Ticket Prices
Starting From
(Band A from £31)
£15*
Under 18s
(Band B & C only)
£2 off
Babe-In-Arms (Under 2ys)
Only available by calling 01253 290190
FREE
1894 Club Members
(Band C only)
£3 off
Family of Four Ticket
Discount applied at basket (At least 2 Adults and remaining Children
£99* (Band B only)
Education Schools / Groups (20+)
Call 01253 743232 to book
£18 (Band C) £22 (Band B)
Relaxed Performance
Thur 28 Dec at 5pm
£20
*£15 Tickets not available on group bookings or Band A performances and are subject to availability.
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Cast members
Steve Royle (Wishee Washee)
Panto legend and stand-up comedy sensation Steve Royle is back at The Grand this Christmas for Blackpool’s number one panto! Oh yes he is! Book your seats now to see everyone’s favourite finalist from ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in this year’s fabulous, festive tale. There’s already limited availability for some dates…
Tom Lister (Abanazar)
Tom has appeared in many musicals in the UK and abroad but most notably, he played the lead role of Julian Marsh in 42nd Street, at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane. This critically acclaimed musical ran for two years before being shown in cinemas across the country. Tom is probably best known for the nine years he spent playing Carl King in Emmerdale, which he left when he was dramatically killed off in a live episode in 2012 – thank goodness there will be no such calamities befalling him in this show!
Ben Harlow (Widow Twankey)
Ben trained at The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, and Middlesex University, BA (Hons) Performing Arts. Most recently, Ben played Kyle, the UPS Guy, in the UK & Ireland Tour of LEGALLY BLONDE. He also played Sam Carmichael in the smash-hit ABBA! musical, MAMMA MIA! (Littlestar/RCCL), a role he also played in the Austrian premiere of the show in Vienna. Prior to this, Ben played Gaston in the Original International Tour of Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST, a role he reprised for 3 happy years on the UK & Ireland Tour. Other theatre includes: the Butler/Dan in JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at The New London Theatre, London & UK Tour, Ensemble/US Sam & Bill in MAMMA MIA! (Original International Tour), Pete in GIRLS NIGHT OUT IN IBIZA (Original cast, UK Tour), Dr Livesey in TREASURE ISLAND (Theatre Royal, Lincoln), Malcolm in MACBETH (York Museum Gardens & Duke of York's Theatre, London), title role in THE KING OF COPENHAGEN (UK Tour), Fred in Lionel Bart's MAGGIE MAY (Peacock Theatre, London) & A-Rab in WEST SIDE STORY (Queen Elizabeth Hall, London). Concerts: Captain Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Frank N Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW & HAIR with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the late Carl Davis. Pantomime credits: Ben created the role of Hugo Pompidou in UK Production’s BEAUTY & THE BEAST (Grand Theatre, Blackpool & Theatre Royal, Bath) Also, PrInce Charming in CINDERELLA (Assembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells, Festival Theatre, Malvern & Anvil, Basingstoke) with Shaun Williamson, Alison Hammond & Keith Chegwin, Prince Frederick for 3 seasons in SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS (Churchill Theatre, Bromley, Theatre Royal, Bath & Festival Theatre, Malvern) with Patsy Kensit, Nichola McAuliffe & Sue Holderness & SLEEPING BEAUTY (Anvil, Basingstoke) all for UK Productions Ltd. TV/Film adverts: TIC-TACS, RADOX & VERY.CO.UK Ben is delighted to be returning to the Grand Theatre, Blackpool to play Widow Twankey in ALADDIN & wishes you all a Merry Christmas!
Mervin Noronha (Aladdin)
Training: Urdang Academy Theatre credits include: The Wizard of Oz (Leicester Curve) Antigone (Regent’s Park); Wonderville (Palace Theatre). Television and Film credits include: Greatest Days (Elysian Films); What’s Love Go To Do With It? (Working Title/StudioCanal).
Moo-Yi Kim (Jasmine)
Moo-Yi Kim is from South Korea. She completed her three years training of Bachelor degree at Trinity Laban in 2022 and she also previously trained for a year at CSVPA. At a young age, Moo-Yi made her debut in the Kpop industry group called 7 Princess. She also performed as a GP Basic Kpop group member when she was teenager in South Korea.
Martin Dodd (Producer)
Martin first worked in the business as a stand-up comic and a dancer. However after leaving Loughborough University with a Master of Science degree and a large overdraft he moved into theatre and event management. For more than 25 years Martin has been responsible for producing all of UK Productions shows nationally, internationally and in the West End. In addition to his producing credits for UK Productions, Martin has worked on a number of unique events including the Nations 50th Anniversary of D-Day commemorations for Her Majesty’s Government, the Tour de France in the south of England, and Portsmouth’s 800th anniversary and VE day celebrations. Martin managed the 1500 seat Guildford Civic Theatre and the 2228 seat Portsmouth Guildhall and was responsible for moving the management of the latter and its associated Outdoor Event Management programme into the private sector in 1995.
Anthony Williams (Executive Director)
As Executive Pantomime Director, Anthony oversees all of the Creative teams in the build-up to and during the pantomime season.
Damian Sandy (Artistic Producer & General Manager)
After directing various projects for UK Productions over 10 years, Damian now works for the company on a full time basis to lead, inspire and deliver the next phase of our journey to create innovative, imaginative and outstanding theatre.
