Joe McElderry, Lisa Riley and Doreen Tipton gear up for Aladdin in Wolverhampton Grand dress rehearsal - with pictures

Friends and family will be able to enjoy the spectacular, hilarious and musical production of Aladdin at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre from today, featuring an all star cast including Ian Adams, Joe McElderry, Lisa Riley and our very own Doreen Tipton.

The show follows X Factor winner McElderry as Aladdin in his quest to find riches and true love, via Peking, a magic carpet ride and his mother's laundrette.

Following on from the success of last years Peter Pan, which featured The Chuckle Brothers, EastEnder's Nasty Nick aka John Altman and Ross Carpenter, this year's show is tipped to be the best ever.

From the evidence on display at a last minute dress rehearsal, it would be hard to argue with the claim.

See the trailer for the show here:

The show begins beautifully, with Aladdin's name spelt out in stars, before the curtain raises and we are introduced to our cast.

Lisa Riley's smile and energy is infectious and sure to go over a treat with youngsters during the production's run at the Grand Theatre, which provides the perfect setting for some of the shows beautiful backdrops.

Riley gets things off to a glamorous start, fresh from her run on Strictly Come Dancing, with magician Stefan Pejic as evil Abanazar providing a perfect counterpart.

This contrast is essentially what pantomime's are all about - treading the fine line between children's and adult humour, cheesy and impressively performed songs, the spectacular and the downright silly.

The show will bring all of this and more in spades to eager audiences up until January 22, when its run comes to an end.

This is the first pantomime season at the newly renovated Grand and once the show starts, that familiar Christmas feeling comes flooding back.

Panto season is often a good way to mark the year and offers an opportunity to reflect with family on the last 12 months.

The show does a good job of re-capping 2016 with cultural references to Boris Johnson, Donald Trump, dabbing and the mannequin challenge.

As per usual, audience interaction is absolute key to the performance and none of the towns that make up the Black Country are safe from a well intentioned dig, with Sandwell, Walsall, Smethwick and West Bromwich all falling victim to the smart lines the cast are given.

Despite only working together for a couple of weeks in rehearsals, there is a definite chemistry between everyone in the group that should put this show a cut above the rest.

The songs are stunning, the jokes are just right, the special effects are out of this world - but there is one person who could steal the show without moving a finger.

The journey of the Black Country's own Doreen Tipton shows no signs of stopping any time soon, from YouTube to the big screen to the big stage, anyone who has missed her along the way is sure to leave a converted fan.

Aladdin is on at the Wolverhampton Grand from Saturday, December 10 to Sunday, January 22. Perfomances are at 11am, 2pm, 2.30pm, 6pm or 7.15pm depending on the day. Check the website for details and to book tickets, costing from £18.50 to £31.50.

Visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01902 429212.