Darlington Hippodrome has announced that singer, TV actor and musical theatre star Lee Mead and Hi-de-Hi! favourite and panto legend Su Pollard will be leading the cast of Sleeping Beauty this Christmas.

Rising to fame as winner of the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, Lee Mead won the title role in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to rave reviews. Since then, Lee has had lead roles in We Will Rock You, Wicked and Legally Blonde. Lee starred as Ben “Lofty” Chiltern in Casualty, which saw him nominated for various national Best Newcomer television awards, a role he reprised on the popular BBC spin-off series, Holby City. Lee has also released several solo albums and toured extensively.

Su Pollard made her television debut on Opportunity Knocks, where she came second to a singing Jack Russell dog! She is best known for her role as Peggy in the BAFTA award-winning sitcom Hi-De-Hi! and was honoured to be the subject of This Is Your Life. Su has extensive credits in television and film including Two Up Two Down, You Rang M’Lord, Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and The Best of The Royal Variety, alongside West End and theatre credits including Godspell, Me and My Girl, Little Shop of Horrors and Grease.

Sleeping Beauty also sees the return of much-loved comic Josh Benson and fabulous Dame Jamie Jones, who are back to take Darlington audiences by storm for a second year following a triumphant season at the Hippodrome last Christmas.

Sleeping Beauty will be produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, whose Chief Executive Michael Harrison said: “I am so excited to have Lee and Su with us in panto this year in Darlington. Every year Lee is a hit with audiences up and down the country wherever he performs, and Su is always a crowd pleaser who will bring her inimitable comic style to the show. The two of them together on stage, alongside the return of Josh and Jamie, is a recipe for a magical Christmas indeed.”

Speaking on the casting, Heather Tarran-Jones, Programming and Development Director of Darlington Hippodrome said: “We’re so thrilled the super talented Lee and bona fide panto legend Su will be making Darlington Hippodrome their home this Christmas. Along with the welcome return of Josh and Jamie, our audiences are in for a festive treat!”

Packed full of the magical ingredients Darlington audiences have come to expect, including beautiful sets and costumes, stunning song and dance and plenty of audience participation, this is a fairytale adventure the whole family can enjoy.

Don’t be caught snoozing, book your tickets today!

Sleeping Beauty runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday 6 to Tuesday 31 December.

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