DJ cast in St Helens shows

Former Radio City presenter Kev Seed will appear in Regal Entertainments’ Christmas productions of Aladdin and Night Collar at the Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Until last month, Seed was the presenter of a breakfast show on local station Wish FM which he joined before hosting his Sunday breakfast show on Juice FM in Liverpool.

Seed, who pleaded guilty to drink driving in October 2008 and was subsequently sacked by Radio City, will play the role of the cab driver in Tony Furlong’s and Jimmy Power’s festive comedy Night Collar and the laughing policeman Noodle in the pantomime Aladdin.

Speaking about the challenge both shows will bring, he said: “I was thrilled to be asked to perform the role of the cabbie in Night Collar again. I love Tony Furlong and Jimmy Power’s writing, it still makes me laugh even after performing the show so many times. I’m also performing in Aladdin at St Helens Theatre Royal this December, so it’s going to be interesting to be swapping between the cabbie and PC Noodle on the same day, hope I don’t get mixed up and think that I’m still a Chinese Policeman when I’m supposed to be a cabbie in St Helens town centre!”

Seed joined Juice FM in 2009 after being absent from radio airwaves for 12 months in Liverpool and found himself caught up in controversy again last year when it was reported he was arrested on suspicion of assault.

He previously played the cabbie in a production of Night Collar at Liverpool’s Royal Court seven years ago, following performances of the role by comedian Micky Finn and Gerry White.

Joining the local radio personality in the latest version of the show is Daniel O’Brien (The Salon, Rita, Sue & Bob Too), Lynne Fitzgerald (The Salon, Liverbirds), Lenny Wood (The Sinking of The Laconia) and Jodie Nesbitt (The Ciggie Run).

Appearing on stage for another addition to the Northwest panto season, will also be Richard De Vere as the evil Abanazer, with Coronation Street’s Andy McDonald, and Nick Cochrane as Aladdin.

Night Collar runs at the Corporation Street-based theatre for four nights only in December and is set in St Helens town centre. Furlong and Power, both former taxi drivers themselves, have written a show featuring nudity and drunkenness, while Elvis and a lady of the night selling her wares make memorable appearances. Sylvie Gatrill takes up directing duties.

Night Collar opens from Monday 5 until Thursday 8 December. Aladdin, which also stars Claire Simonsen off Radio City, visits on 2 December 2011 and runs until 8 January 2012.