London
Paul O’Grady returns with Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot alongside Matt Baker
The London Palladium pantomime has been confirmed as Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Opening in previews on 7 December and running until 12 January 2020, the show sees Paul O'Grady return to the pantomime following his appearance in the show in 2016 as The Wicked Stepmother.
O'Grady will star as The Evil Ringmaster alongside the returning Julian Clary as The Ringmaster, Paul Zerdin as Silly Billy, Nigel Havers as Daddy Bear and Gary Wilmot as Dame Betty Barnum. Matt Baker will make his Palladium pantomime debut as Joey the Clown.
Joining the cast will be illusionist Phil Hitchcock, The Skating Medini (Asia and Dylan Medini) – a high-speed roller-skating act from one of Italy's circus families, Sascha Williams – Rola Bola, from the Belli Family Circus in Germany and Europe's youngest stunt rider Peter Pavlov and the Globe of Speed.
It is the fourth year since the London Palladium's pantomime returned. This year's show will be directed by Michael Harrison, with choreography by Karen Bruce, set design by Ian Westbrook, costume design from a team including Hugh Durrant, visual special effects by The Twins FX, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Gareth Owen and original music by Gary Hind.
The show follows Dame Betty Barnum and her daughter Goldilocks, whose circus is under threat from an evil rival circus owner. Further casting for the show will be announced in due course.