Former Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain plays Aladdin in panto at the Manchester Opera House

Dec 3 2009 by Claire Devine, Chester Chronicle

FORMER Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain takes to the stage this week for magical panto fun.

The former Dancing on Ice star plays Aladdin at the Manchester Opera House this Christmas.

Chris is joined on stage by Gray O’Brien (bad boy Tony Gordon in Coronation Street) as the evil Abanazar.

Also in the cast is Sue Devaney (Coronation Street, Dinner Ladies) as the genie of the ring, Eric Potts (Diggory Compton in Coronation Street) as the fabulous panto dame Widow Twankey and former BBC Radio 2 Choirgirl of the Year Eloise Irving as Princess Jasmine.

First Family Entertainment chief executive Kevin Wood said: “This production of Aladdin is going to be the most spectacular pantomime the Manchester audiences have ever seen.”

Aladdin runs from December 5-January 3.

Performance times: Tuesday-Saturday, 2.30 and 7pm, Sundays 1pm and 5pm.

Monday, December 28, to Sunday, January 3, 1pm and 5pm.

Tickets £9.50-£24.50. Call 0844 847 2295 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk. Groups of 10+ call 0844 372 72 72.