TV celeb Alison Hammond is ready to grant your wishes in Aladdin at the Cresset.
It’ll be sparkle and glitz in the Cresset panto this year as Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alison Hammond waltzes into the role of the Genie in Aladdin.
Alison told ESP – “I’m really excited! I used to do Dreams Come True on This Morning so it’s like I’m granting wishes all over again. I’m gonna bring sparkle because I am like one big glitterball, some humour and lots of life to the role – it’s going to be great.”
The classic story of Aladdin who finds a magic lamp and aims to win the heart of the princess always makes a great family panto and this production is by Premier Pantomimes who had record breaking success with Cinderella last year.
This is Alison’s seventh one and the TV presenter says she loves live shows – “You’ve really got to believe your role, and that you really are the Genie, which I will be! You will think I came out of that tiny little lamp! It’s all about keeping it true to tradition and having fun, just being able to bounce off audiences which is the sort of thing I like doing.”
Former Skins star and actor Mitch Hewer who starred in the hit Channel 4 series as dancer Maxxie, and as Danny in ITV’s Britannia High is making his first appearance in panto as the handsome hero Aladdin.
“I’m very excited,” Mitch told ESP. “It should be a lot of fun, there’s the romantic side, the comedy the whole bad guy thing and this is probably one of the best pantos out there. It’s got a lot to give and the costumes are great. I’m looking forward to playing off the audience.”
Popular Dame Zach Vanderfelt returns playing Widow Twankey and Lawrence Stubbings also returns and is set to be the perfect baddie as evil Abanazar – Booo!
Having sadly been voted out of Strictly Come Dancing a few weeks ago, Alison will however be back with her lovely partner Aljaz for the Christmas specials so she won’t be appearing on certain dates (see below).
The star said – “It’s brilliant to be asked back to do the Strictly final and Christmas special, I had such an amazing time on the show and it will be lovely to be dancing with my Aljaž again.
“I’m just gutted it means missing some Aladdin performances. Panto’s such good fun and it’s a brilliant show. I just wish I had enough magic to be in both places at once!
“I know all the lovely people at The Cresset have worked really hard though to make sure that anyone who wants to see me in Aladdin can swap their tickets to a different day, so I’ll still be able to grant plenty of wishes!”
Alison will be unable to appear in the following performances…
Wed 17 Dec 10.30am, 1.30pm
Thu 18 Dec 10.30am, 1.30pm
Sat 20 Dec 2.00pm, 6.00pm
The part of the genie will be played by George Dee and the show will be unaffected.
Penny Hansen from The Cresset said – “Of course the show must go on! We’ve got a fantastic cast this year and it’s going to be an incredible show, so people shouldn’t be worried. We’re also giving anyone with tickets who particularly wishes to see Alison as the Genie the option to swap to a different performance, just contact the Box Office to arrange it. We’ve got 31 performances and lots of seats so we promise nobody will miss out.”
Aladdin runs from December 12 – 30 and tickets start from £8 with group offers available. For bookings call 01733 265705 or visit www.cresset.co.uk
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