Auditions to be held for Regent Theatre panto Aladdin starring Joe Swash

Jul 27 2011 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

PANTO in Hanley is looking for budding young theatre stars to join the team ahead of the festive show, Aladdin.

The Regent Theatre is about to start the search for this year’s juvenile dancers to star alongside the area’s new panto star, Joe Swash.

Producers are looking for both boys and girls to audition. Applicants must be at least eight years old but no taller than 5ft.

A theatre spokesman said: “Dancers must also have lots of personality and be trained in dance, with gymnastics an advantage.

“A total of 36 lucky performers will be selected for the panto run between December 15 and January 15.”

The audition will take place on September 10 between 10am and 1pm at The Regent Theatre.

No appointment is necessary, just turn up on the day.

It is an open audition so everyone is welcome. Hopefuls should wear suitable rehearsal clothes or something they can easily move in and dance shoes.

Applicants with any questions should contact The Regent’s Creative Learning Department by emailing stokecreativelearning@theambassadors. com or by phoning Zoe Scott on 01782 211214.

It is the first year former EastEnders man Joe Swash will appear in Potteries panto.

It brings an end to the long-standing panto run with Potteries golden boy Jonathan Wilkes as a new era of Regent Theatre panto is ushered in.

Joe shot to fame in 2003 as Mickey Miller in EastEnders, and in 2008 he was crowned ‘King of the Jungle’ when he won ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Speaking about his casting in Aladdin, the cheeky Cockney said: “I’m really excited about coming to Stoke-on-Trent. I’ve heard great things about the city and the warm reception audiences give at The Regent.

“We’re going to have some fun with the panto this year. I look forward to meeting everyone soon.”

For more than a decade Regent Theatre pantomimes have become an essential part of Christmas, offering all the ingredients for the perfect panto.

Aladdin also heralds the introduction of a new producer, the Liverpool-based company, Pele Productions Ltd.

Husband and wife team Jim and Viv Wells have been producing top musicals and pantomimes for the last 12 years.

Their production of The Wizard Of Oz – which starred Judy Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft – broke all box office records at Salford’s prestigious theatre The Lowry.

They also specialise in pantomime and their unique combination of keeping within traditional boundaries but with a modern feel makes for a winning formula.

Pele shows include lots of audience participation and chart hits that everyone can sing along to. Their productions have included stars of today such as John Bishop, Sugababe Heidi Range, Shane Lynch and many more.

Associate producer Viv said: “We are really excited to be producing Aladdin in Stoke. It’s a fabulous venue and we are much looking forward to working alongside this great team at The Regent Theatre.

“We’ve heard the Stoke audiences like lots of laughs and we can guarantee a show that will leave everyone with that ‘feel good’ factor!”

But fear not, Wilkes fans, as he will be back in January with his adult-themed spoof Panto’s On Strike alongside Paddy McGuinness.

Tickets for Aladdin are on sale now, priced £16.75-£25.75, to book call the box office on 0844 871 7649 or visit www.atgtickets.com/stoke.