Oakengates Theatre @ The Place is set to welcome a comedy legend to the stage in one of the leading roles in this year’s production of Sleeping Beauty.
While younger members of the audience will grow to love his cheeky style over the course of the performance, older audience members will no doubt have fond memories of this man, but probably more so of his faithful ostrich companion, Oswald!
Yes, that’s right, this year’s panto star is legendary comedian and entertainer Bernie Clifton!
While Bernie is most well known for his television appearances ‘riding’ Oswald the Ostrich, he is also known for his singing and is also an accomplished trombone player, having performed in the Beijing Olympics and in Las Vegas as a member of the Pukka Pies England Band.
His most recent television appearance was on Channel 4’s ‘Celebrity First Dates’ last month which saw the star looking for, and potentially finding, love.
Alongside Bernie, Sleeping Beauty will star Wink Taylor from CITV’s ‘The Sooty Show as The King, Theo The Mouse and Wendy as The Fairies, singing sensation Anton Dobson as The Prince, Craig Cowdroy as Nanny Nora, Katrina Gibson as Carabosse, not forgetting Princess Beauty being played by Xenna Kristian.
James Shone of Shone Productions, producer and director of Sleeping Beauty, said: “We’re delighted to announce such a fantastic cast for this year’s panto at Oakengates Theatre @ The Place. Bernie is a true entertainer and we’re sure he’ll be a firm favourite with the audience at every single performance.
“He is supported by an amazing cast set to catch the imagination of the crowd, from the very youngest to the very oldest viewer, right from curtain up until the very end.
“Sleeping Beauty is a classic panto, and we’re excited to be bringing it to life, with the best laughs, scenery, costumes, effects and obligatory panto clichés, for the people of Telford and beyond.”
Sleeping Beauty begins on Wednesday 7 December, with shows right up to Saturday 31 December. A relaxed performance will take place on Friday 30 December at 11am.
Tickets for this year’s pantomime are on sale now.