Funnyman Brian to star in Cliffs panto (From Echo)
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Funnyman Brian to star in Cliffs panto
7:10pm Monday 30th March 2009 in
FUNNYMAN Brian Conley will star in this year’s Christmas pantomime at the Cliffs Pavilion.
The comedian, singer and actor plays Buttons in Cinderella at the Westcliff venue, which starts a month-long festive run on Saturday, December 12.
Theatre director Ellen McPhillips said: “When it comes to panto, it doesn’t get much bigger than Cinderella, starring Brian Conley.
“It really is the Christmas dream ticket.
“He is well-known on the festive circuit for playing this role and I’m sure he will have people flooding through the Cliffs Pavilion doors. It was only a couple of years ago that Cinderella smashed our box office record, taking £1million, with fellow comedian Joe Pasquale playing the role of Buttons.
“We would hope Brian Conley can equal that number, if not beat it.”
Conley, 47, is no stranger to treading the boards and has starred in West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the award-winning musical Jolson.
He is also a big TV personality, hosting shows such as Let Me Entertain You and guest hosting the Paul O’Grady Show. He is also renowned for playing Doug “Dynamo” Digby in the cult school-based sitcom, the Grimleys.
Cinderella replaces Peter Pan, which had previously been announced as the Cliffs Pavilion pantomime this year.
Tickets purchased for this show are still valid. Seat prices are on sale now and begin at £10. For more information, call 01702 351135.
Comments(3)
lr1984
says...
10:20am Tue 31 Mar 09
My son was also looking forward to seeing Peter Pan, he doesn't want to see Cinderella as he thinks it is too girly.
EnglishPatriot
says...
8:14am Tue 7 Apr 09
I think he will be brilliant in the role.
I've seen many productions at the Cliffs (and been an extra in some, including the opera Aida) and would urge people to visit our local theatres more.
They provide an excellent choice of entertainment and I've seen everything from operas to crime dramas, for which the Cliffs Pavilion's sister theatre, the Palace Theatre, is an excellent venue. It lends itself to some of the period pieces as it has a marvellous atmosphere, with its Edwardian splendour and real old theatre feel.
Don't just visit the theatre once a year. It makes an excellent alternative to the so-called reality rubbish you get on TV nowadays. At least the actors are genuine entertainers and not some grubby upstart from a sink estate whose command of English is virtually zero.
Our local theatres are excellent. The Cliffs has a stage bigger than many London theatres and the Palace, built in 1912, has been beautifully restored.
And a night out at the theatre costs less than sinking endless beers on Southend seafront and not being able to remember anything the next day!
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VictoriaLS says...
7:51pm Mon 30 Mar 09
Am wondering whether the script will be the same as the Joe Pasquale version?