Sally Lindsay to make panto debut at Liverpool Empire

Sally Lindsay

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Popular TV actress Sally Lindsay to make panto debut at the Liverpool Empire – Oh yes she is!

First Family Entertainment announce all-star casting for Dick Whittington

Popular TV actress Sally Lindsay, known for her roles in Coronation Street, Mount Pleasant and Ordinary Lies has never performed in a pantomime before but that’s all about to change as she’s starring in Dick Whittington this Christmas at the Liverpool Empire! ‘Oh yes she is!’

This year’s exciting all-star cast also includes Radio City’s Leanne Campbell as Alice Fitzwarren, Pete Price as and Alderman Fitzwarren, Eric Potts (Coronation Street) as Sarah the Cook and Kurtis Stacey (Emmerdale) as Dick Whittington. They will be joined by Warren Donnelly (Shameless) who makes a welcome return to the Empire this Christmas to play the villainous King Rat after appearing as Abanazar in Aladdin last year.

Sally, who will play the magical Fairy Fazakerly in this year’s production, is best known as Corrie barmaid Shelley Unwin and Lisa in Sky Living drama Mount Pleasant. Sally more recently appeared on screens in the critically acclaimed drama Ordinary Lies.

Sally commented: “I’m nervous but excited about being in my very first pantomime. The Liverpool Empire is one of the most beautiful theatres in the country and I can’t wait to be sprinkling some fairy magic there this Christmas. We’ve got a really strong cast, some of them I’ve worked with before, and I know Liverpool audiences are always up for a laugh so it’s going to be a great show. I’m really looking forward to the panto season!”

Eric Potts, also known as Coronation Street Baker Diggery Compton, will delight audiences as the hilarious dame, Sarah the Cook. Although it’s the first time Eric will perform in a pantomime here at the Empire, he is certainly no stranger to the tradition having spent the last 16 seasons appearing in pantomimes. Eric is currently writing scripts for First Family pantomimes up and down the country including this one.

Eric added: “I love writing panto scripts. Pantomime is very often a child's first visit to the theatre and it’s great that I get the chance to create an experience that they love and want to repeat. I love the great British tradition of pantomime and am honoured to be a small part of that history.”

Dick Whittington is the ultimate tale of rags-to-riches telling the story of an adventurous young man who sets off to seek his fortune on an adventure to London. But, things don’t go exactly to plan and Dick must take on the evil King Rat in his quest to win Alice’s hand.

Join Dick and his feline friend Tommy on his fun filled quest for fame and fortune! Will the streets really be paved with gold? Will he win the hand of the lovely Alice – and will he defeat the dastardly King Rat? There’s only one way to find out – come along for panto, the purr-fect way to celebrate Christmas!

This year’s pantomime is produced by First Family Entertainment, who are no strangers to the Liverpool Empire having produced previous panto extravaganzas Cinderella, Peter Pan and Aladdin.

Diane Belding, general manager at the Empire, said: “First Family are known for putting on the best quality pantomimes and we’re confident this year’s will be even bigger and even better. So, if you’re going to watch a pantomime this year, make sure it’s at the Empire. It will be here before we know it so I’d urge everyone to snap up their tickets as soon as they can!”

Dick Whittington is a fun-filled family show that promises to take audiences of all ages on a rip-roaring ride with brilliant sing-along songs, hilarious characters and lots of laughs, Dick Whittington comes to the Liverpool Empire from Saturday December 12 2015 until Sunday January 3 2016.