Thas A Fact?

*Oh no it isn’t… Oh yes it is!

Popular actress, singer and Dancing On Ice winner Hayley Tamaddon is taking on the lead role in this year’s Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime Sleeping Beauty.

Known as one of Britain’s most versatile performers, she is looking forward to bringing the magic of the classic story to life as part of an all-star cast which includes Hollyoaks heart-throb Kevin Sacre, Helen Fraser who is best known as Body Bag from TV’s Bad Girls, and Andre Vincent, the comedy partner of Marcus Brigstocke in cult comedy Early Edition.

Kevin Sacre & Hayley Tamaddon.

Hayley said: “I am very excited about playing Sleeping Beauty. It is a new part for me but panto itself is not new to me. It is for everybody and lots of fun. It is full of entertainment and audiences can enjoy a great musical based around a story that everyone will know.”

Hayley first shot to fame playing the role of feisty Northern lass Delilah Dingle on ITV’s soap hit Emmerdale where her character was involved in a host of love, comedy and tragedy storylines.

This then led to her enthralling weekly audiences of over 10 million people on Dancing On Ice eventually winning the hit TV show capturing over 80 per cent of the viewers vote – and also starring in the touring spin-off which saw her perform in front of large audiences in arenas across the country.

But these two TV shows were just a small part of her versatile career as she appeared in a number of other small screen roles in a wide range of programmes including Waterloo Road, Shameless, The Royal and Where The Heart Is.

Hayley is also a distinguished stage performer and, as well as her acclaimed performance in Spamalot, she has appeared in a wide range of other theatrical hits including The Rocky Horror Show, Mamma Mia, Boogie Nights, Grease, Fame and A Chorus Line.

Hayley will be joined by a host of other performers in Sleeping Beauty which runs from December 14, 2011, to January 15, 2012.

Starring opposite her will be Kevin Sacre, who is best known for playing Jake Dean in Channel Four’s hit soap Hollyoaks. His character was at the centre of some major storylines including a tug-of-love over his son and a very powerful performance as his character suffered a mental breakdown.

But he has also turned his hand to a wide range of other projects including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for the Royal Shakespeare Company, BBC Three’s Dancing On Wheels, pantomimes, and most recently appeared on stage in part of the UK stage tour of Calendar Girls opposite popular actress – and fellow Norwich Theatre Royal panto performer – Helen Fraser.

Helen Fraser and Tom Beard in costume.

Helen is best known for her role as the bumbling and sour prison warden Sylvia ‘Body Bag’ Hollamby in Bad Girls on TV and a West End stage spin-off although she has also won a number of stage and TV roles in the likes of Dixon of Dock Green, On The Buses, Tales of the Unexpected and Casualty.

This year’s Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime will also see a number of favourites return to the city stage. Richard Gauntlett will once again don a wide range of elaborate and spectacular dresses as he takes on the role of Dame – the 11^th pantomime in the city that he has been a part of.

His popular comedy side-kick Andre Vincent also returns to the festive spectacular bringing his usual brand of high-energy comedy to the show for the third year running and starring in the show fresh from appearing at York Theatre Royal in Laurel and Hardy, a play about the legendary silent film duo.

Completing the cast are two other Norwich Theatre Royal panto favourites back by public demand – distinguished TV, film and stage actor David Gant and the six-foot-plus comedy bundle of fun Tom Beard.

This Norwich Theatre Royal production will match the successful formula of previous years by reuniting its highly experienced creative team. Richard Gauntlett will once again write and direct the production. He will be joined by accomplished choreographer Dee Jago, who has worked in the UK and Europe with a number of top performers and choreographers including Dougie Squires and Bill Deamer.

Also returning to the creative team this year as musical director and arranger is David Carter who has worked with some of the biggest names in showbusiness and on a number of live shows including over 30 pantomimes.

Jane Walsh, executive-producer of the production which is sponsored this year by Almary Green, said: “We are so excited to welcome Hayley Tamaddon to the city to play Sleeping Beauty for the very first time. Expect all the traditional panto magic, lots of family fun, a spectacular set from Scenic Projects…and plenty of surprises.”

Sleeping Beauty (sponsored by Almary Green) runs from  December 14 2011 – January 15 2012.

Tickets £5-£19. Discounts for Over-60s, Under-18s and Groups.

Signed performances on Saturday January 14 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Audio described performance on Saturday January 14 at 2.30pm.

BOX OFFICE 01603 630000. 

For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

 Norwich Theatre Royal.

Theatre Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1RL.