Panto season starts at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Surely the highlight of the festive season in Wolverhampton has to be the Grand Theatre pantomime?

For over 100 years, the annual panto has been a must for families and individuals alike and Christmas and New Year in the city just would not be the same without it.

This season the all-star class which includes Loose Women's Sherrie Hewson as Lady Temple-Savage, along with her beloved side-kick, Ken Morley – alias her Corrie husband Reg Holdsworth – as well as panto veterans Keith Harris, Orville and Cuddles the Monkey and Nigel Ellacott as Dame Trot.

If all those stars are not enough, the ladies will soon be swooning over title role actor Ben James-Ellis as Jack.

Ben found fame on Any Dream Will Do, Andrew Lloyd-Webber's search for a star to play the role of Joseph, on the hit BBC TV programme back in 2007 and his career has gone from strength to strength ever since – including appearing in the original West End cast of Hairspray and Ackybourne's play House and Garden.

Ben was keen to talk about his new role ahead of the panto opening in Wolverhampton tomorrow for a run that lasts until January 20.

They say never work with children or animals, but in panto it is really unavoidable and Ben seems to take everything in his stride.

"I am very excited to be able to play Jack," said Ben.

"I am currently doing Dreamboats and Petticoats and I wasn't sure if I would be finished in time to be able to do panto, but we are finishing early now so I am very, very excited. I love it."

In professional pantomime the age old tradition of a girl playing the leading man has changed of late, but Ben does not see this as a problem.

"It's good for me!" he said "although I have always thought that a girl can play a guy's role.

"The whole business is becoming more and more about celebrity and people who have been on shows and doing everything you can to make sure theatres are packed out.

"I have done panto with Keith Harris before and he is a great guy. He is an all round entertainer. I have also worked with Brian Connolly who is just the same."

For the third year running, The Grand's panto also stars Staffordshire's own Niki Evans.

Former X Factor contestant Niki, who starred on the show in 2007, will take on the role of Fairy Fortune.

Niki made her theatrical debut playing Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers and has reprised the role several times over the last three years.

This year she has played the role of Paulette in the musical Legally Blonde on the UK tour.

Jack and the Beanstalk opens tomorrow night and runs until January 20 at the Grand Theatre in Lichfield Street.

For tickets, show times, prices and availability call the box office on 01902 429212 or visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk for tickets.

A special panto website has also been launched at www.grandtheatrepanto.co.uk

By Alison Norton