Wolverhampton's Mia Richards in panto with Ann Widdecombe
Theatre star Mia Richards is being transformed into Princess Jasmine for her first professional role in pantomime Aladdin – alongside Ann Widdecombe.
The Black Country actress will appear alongside a cast including the former Conservative MP at Marina Theatre in Lowestoft this December.
Mia, from Lower Gornal, is relishing the chance to bring the much-loved character of Princess Jasmine to life.
"She's really happy, fun loving and I think a lot of the kids will want to be Princess Jasmine,” she said.
The 20-year-old Mia started her musical theatre journey in productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables at Ellowes Hall Sports College in Lower Gornal. After leaving school she went on to audition and study for a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts at Birmingham Ormiston Academy, which saw her perform in shows such as Little Women and Spring Awakening.
She landed her first paid role just one year into her degree course at Performance Preparation Academy in Guildford, said she is looking forward to getting to know the former cabinet minister, who starred in Strictly Come Dancing.
She added:"I am so excited as it's my first professional job while I have been training. I just love anything with a bit of glitter and sparkle and I can’t wait to make people smile at Christmas – I am sure there will be a lot of laughs and happy faces and smiles walking out of the door."
Widdecombe will star as the regal and authoritative Empress of China in the family pantomime. Mark Read from boyband A1 is also involved in the show’s 32-performance run.
