Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has officially launched this year’s GIANT new pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, which stars TV favourite, Giant from Gladiators.

Wolverhampton’s fastest-selling pantomime also stars returning favourites Tam Ryan and Ian Adams with a multitude of stars from West End Musical Theatre who took to iconic locations Dudley Zoo and the Mount Hotel in Tettenhall to launch this year’s show.

Jarneìia Richard-Noel from the original West End and UK touring cast of SIX plays the Fairy, Olivia Mitchell who covered the role of Jenna on the UK tour of Waitress plays Belle alongside Tom Lowe as Prince/Beast who was recently seen at the Grand Theatre as King Triton in Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch. Timothy Lucas (Blood Brothers) plays Monsieur le Pratt.

They will be joined by ensemble Sam Cherry, Harry Dutton, Jack Kempson, Jedediah Leafe, Lydia Moynihan, Holly Pearce, Amy Page, Lucy Rice.

There are big plans for this year’s pantomime, which will coincide with the theatre’s 130th anniversary. A pantomime has been staged at the Grand Theatre since the opening year in 1894. The first ever pantomime opened on Christmas Eve and was Sinbad The Sailor, which also starred some of the finest West End performers of the time. The original poster and programme from that panto 130 years ago has now been displayed on the dress circle staircase in celebration of the anniversary.

Tickets for Beauty and the Beast from Saturday 30 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025 are on sale now at grandtheatre.co.uk