Jo Brand, Matthew Kelly, Oliver Thornton and Flawless to star in New Wimbledon Theatre's ALADDIN this Christmas

JO BRAND

makes her pantomime debut alongside

stars of Britain’s Got Talent

FLAWLESS

and

National Treasure

MATTHEW KELLY

in

Friday 6 December 2013 – Sunday 12 January 2014

New Wimbledon Theatre and First Family Entertainment are delighted to yet again reveal an exciting ground-breaking cast announcement for Aladdin at New Wimbledon Theatre.

The Home of London Pantomime will be host to BAFTA-winning comedienne, writer and actress Jo Brand who will be making her pantomime debut as the Genie of the Ring.

Jo will be joined by Street Dancers Flawless as the Peking Police Force, and Olivier Award winning actor and television presenter Matthew Kelly as Widow Twanky. We are also thrilled to announce that the cast will be joined by two renowned West End Musical Theatre stars; Oliver Thornton (Priscilla Queen Of the Desert, Starlight Express, The Rocky Horror Show) will play the title role of Aladdin, and Olivier Award winning actor David Bedella (Jerry Springer – The Opera, The Rocky Horror Show) will play Abanazar.

Jo Brand is a BAFTA-winning comedienne, writer, and actress.  Jo began with early performances on Saturday Live and then went on to appear on Channel 4's Jo Brand Through the Cakehole  followed by various television appearances including as a regular guest on QI and Have I Got News For You.  In 2003, she was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy.  Most recently, Jo has written and starred in the hospital-based sitcom Getting On.

Jo Brand said: “I’m very much looking forward to doing my first panto, although I would have preferred Cinderella because I realise that I am a role model for many glamorous young women”.

Flawless are the best Street Dancers in the world (crowned World Champions in 2006).  They were the stars of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.  Since then Flawless have appeared in the film StreetDance 3D and its sequel StreetDance 2, and have collaborated with Kylie Minogue at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert, and with English National Ballet in Against Time.

Matthew Kelly is most widely known for presenting Stars In Their Eyes.  As an award winning actor, TV credits include Dickens' Bleak House and a starring role in the crime thriller series Cold Blood. On stage his credits range widely from Shakespeare to musicals - Lend Me A Tenor, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Twelfth Night, Troilus and Cressida, Waiting for Godot and Of Mice and Men;  for which he won an Olivier Award.

Oliver Thornton is best known for creating the West End role of Felicia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and most recently Frank ‘n’ Furter in the 40^th Anniversary Tour of The Rocky Horror Show.

David Bedella won an Olivier Award for his role as Satan in Jerry Springer - The Opera.  He is also revered for playing Frank ‘n’ Furter in the 2006/2007 UK tour of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show.

Kevin Wood, Chief Executive for First Family Entertainment said, “We are very excited to announce the line-up for this year’s pantomime in Wimbledon. We are delighted to welcome Jo Brand to the list of stars that have made their pantomime debut at Wimbledon.  With this stellar cast, Aladdin is sure to be our best show yet, and justly secures New Wimbledon Theatre as The Home of London Pantomime.”

Aladdin is a magical carpet ride of a pantomime guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.  Rub the magic lamp, enter the cave of wonders and be transported to this fun fairytale world.  With stunning sets, glittering costumes, wonderful songs and dazzling dancing that audiences have come to expect from our pantomime – topped off with laughter and audience participation aplenty!  Make tickets to Aladdin on of your three wishes for Christmas 2013.