Undoubtedly the fairest of them all, Linda Lusardi will play the Wicked Queen and her real-life husband, Sam Kane, will play the Prince in the Christmas show which marks their 14th pantomime season together! Linda and Sam last appeared on stage together at the Grand Theatre in Robin Hood in 1998/99 which marked the re-opening of the theatre after its 9 million pound refurbishment.

Linda has enjoyed a 25-year career spanning the world of stage, film and television. Her many stage roles include Funny Peculiar, Bedside Manner, Not Now Darling, Pygmalion and Rock with Laughter. As well as many summer seasons and performing in every major pantomime around the country, Linda has appeared on countless television programmes including Celebrity Masterchef, Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Dancing On Ice, Loose Women, The Bill, Brookside and in Emmerdale where she played the role of Carrie Nichols.

Sam Kane, who will also be directing the pantomime, has been a stalwart of musical theatre for many years. He has appeared in numerous stage shows including the West End production of The Rat Pack, Hot Flush!, Simply Ballroom, Carousel, Boogie Nights and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to name but a few. On television he has appeared in programmes such as Brookside, Night Fever, Hollyoaks, The Royal, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Joining Linda and Sam and returning to the Grand Theatre stage are Wolverhampton pantomime favourites, The Grumbleweeds in the roles of Muddles and Chambers. The award-winning comedy duo, Robin Colvill and Graham Walker, have brought the house down with their uproarious antics in venues across the world and have received rave reviews for their performances in record-breaking pantomimes around the country. Niki Evans, who appeared in Cinderella at the Grand Theatre two years ago, joins the cast in the role of The Fairy. Niki is currently touring the UK as Mrs Johnstone in the smash-hit musical Blood Brothers, which played at the Grand Theatre last year, following a run of the show in London’s West End.

It was also announced that the pantomime producers, Qdos Entertainment, will hold open auditions at the Grand Theatre on Saturday 13 August 2011 to find 14 young people to play the two teams required for the roles of the Seven Dwarfs. Details of the auditions will be announced on the theatre’s website and in local press in mid-July.

“I’m really looking forward to returning to Wolverhampton and to the Grand Theatre, where I played Snow White in 1993 and Maid Marion in Robin Hood in 1998, and being a part of theatre’s great pantomime tradition,” says Linda. “This is a terrific production – I even get to fly “without wires” – both Sam and I were delighted when asked to appear at the Grand Theatre this year.”

“I’ve performed at the Grand Theatre in several productions since I last appeared in pantomime in Wolverhampton and I can’t wait to return for another Christmas season. As well as starring I also direct this production,” says Sam. “Wolverhampton audiences are terrific and I know that they love their pantomime so we’re looking forward to spending Christmas in the city with the Grumbleweeds and Niki.”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs at the Grand Theatre from Saturday 10 December 2011 to Sunday 22 January 2012. Tickets can be booked on 01902 42 92 12, or online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk.