Coronation Street stars to appear in Plymouth's Christmas panto this year
Les Dennis and Connor McIntyre will star in the socially-distanced pantomime 'Robinson Crusoe'
This year's pantomime at Plymouth's Theatre Royal will start Coronation Street's Les Dennis and Connor McIntyre, singer Simon Webbe, comedian Andy Ford and actress Jennie Dale.
Robinson Crusoe will be a socially-distanced production and will run for three weeks from Saturday 12 December.
The production is able to go ahead thanks to the support of The National Lottery, which will give thousands of theatregoers in Plymouth and across the country, the chance to enjoy socially distanced pantomime this Christmas.
Television presenter, comedian and actor Les Dennis has been a mainstay of British entertainment since he won the 1974 talent show New Faces. His appearance propelled him to stardom with featured spots on light entertainment shows including The Laughter Show and Les hosted Family Fortunes for an unprecedented fifteen-year run. His theatre work includes roles in Chicago, Spamalot, She Loves Me and Me and My Girl in the West End, the UK tours of Art, High School Musical, Hairspray, Legally Blonde and The Addams Family playing Uncle Fester.
His film and television credits include Intimate Relations opposite Julie Walters, Brookside, Hotel Babylon, Merseybeat and Extras. In 2014, he joined Coronation Street as Michael Rodwell, a petty criminal who met his demise at the hands of the evil Pat Phelan, played by his pantomime cast (and now ship) mate, Connor McIntyre. Les will star as Mrs Crusoe, mother of the sea-sailing hero, Robinson.
Connor McIntyre has previously appeared in The Governor, A & E, Murder City, See No Evil, Wire in the Blood, Law and Order, London’s Burning and Casualty. His film roles include The Be All and End All and Charlie Noads R.I.P while his stage work includes appearances in The Comedy of Errors, One for the Road and Harry’s Christmas. He is best known, however, as the malevolent mainstay of ITV’s Coronation Street, Pat Phelan, since he made his debut in 2013 where he was embroiled in numerous high-profile storylines solidifying his reputation as one of soap-land’s ultimate baddies. Connor will play Captain Cockle in this year’s pantomime, which will mark the third time he has starred on stage alongside Les, having played Ugly Sisters in Cinderella in both Manchester and Nottingham.
Pop sensation Simon Webbe is best known for being a member of the chart-topping boy band Blue. Between 2005 and 2009 the band took a break, which saw Simon launch his own solo albums and singles as well as writing songs. Simon’s career has also seen him take to the West End stage in Sister Act the Musical, alongside Shelia Hancock and Whoopi Goldberg. He has made numerous television appearances including Strictly Come Dancing where he was a runner-up; has endured a stint in the Australian jungle in I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, and featured on ITV2’s The Big Reunion.
Joining Les, Connor and Simon will be returning panto favourite, comedian Andy Ford as Billy Crusoe. One of pantomime’s most successful comedians the Devon-born funny man has appeared on stages across the UK entertaining thousands of theatregoers with his quick-wit, physical routines and sense of humour winning rave-reviews and legions of fans wherever he performs. Robinson Crusoe marks his return to the Theatre Royal having appeared in recent productions of Peter Pan and Dick Whittington.
Starring as the crooked Pirate Queen will be CBeebies star, Jennie Dale. Best known as Captain Captain in CBeebies’ Swashbuckle, Jennie has starred in Hansel & Gretel, The Snow Queen and The Tempest, all for the popular children’s channel. No stranger to the stage, Jennie appeared in the UK and international tour of Mamma Mia, as well as in Mary Poppins, The Lord of the Rings, Sister Act, Gigi, Les Misérables (and the subsequent blockbuster film adaptation) and The Witches of Eastwick, all in the West End. Starring as the crooked Pirate Queen will be CBeebies star, Jennie Dale.
Adrian Vinken, CEO at Theatre Royal Plymouth said:
"We are just thrilled to be able to bring Robinson Crusoe with its terrific cast to Plymouth this Christmas. This panto may feel a little different to previous years with the new measures we’ve put in place to keep our audiences, staff and performers safe.
"However, with this cast I’m confident that the panto spirit and fun will feel just as magical as ever. Despite the new lockdown that the whole country is facing right now, everyone at TRP is still working hard to deliver our plans.
"We aim to bring some much-needed laughter and Christmas spirit back to our stages, and vitality and life back to our city centre."