Cliffs Pavilion Announces Cast for 2015 Pantomime!

March 17, 2015 by Joanna Harrison

Brian Conley and Lesley Joseph to star in Southend Cliffs Pavilion pantomime, Cinderella!

Southend Theatres have announced that television, musical theatre and pantomime legend Brian Conley and Birds of a Feather favourite Lesley Joseph are to star in the Cliffs Pavilion pantomime, Cinderella.

Brian Conley, who will play Buttons, returns to the Southend stage following his acclaimed performance last September in the role of P T Barnum in the UK tour of the Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison production of Barnum.

In a career spanning three decades Brian has appeared in award-winning West End musicals and television sit-coms, presented his own chat shows, recorded three albums and completed numerous sell-out tours of the UK. On stage Conley has starred as Edna Turnblad in the hit West End musical Hairspray both in London and on tour and has completed a nationwide tour of Brother Love, celebrating the music of Neil Diamond, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. Brian also starred in the nationwide tour of Oliver! playing Fagin and has starred in Jolson and Me and My Girl.

Following the hugely successful return of Birds of a Feather to our television screens last year, one of the nation’s best-loved actresses Lesley Joseph will co-star as The Fairy Godmother. Lesley has been seen in numerous plays and musicals, in the West End and on tour, including Calendar Girls, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Annie, as well as on countless television and radio programmes. On television she has appeared in Night and Day, What Not to Wear, My Bare Lady, Ready, Steady, Cook, and Celebrity Come Dine With Me.

Cinderella is staged by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Qdos Entertainment, who bring with them a reputation for large-scale shows packed with special effects, family-friendly comedy and world-class production values.

Managing Director of Qdos Entertainment’s pantomimes division Michael Harrison said; “Both Brian Conley and Lesley Joseph are absolutely at the top of the pantomime profession, bringing with them what can only be described as comic genius. With this first-class casting already confirmed for our Southend production we know that Cinderella is most definitely going to be a magical Christmas treat for all the family.”

Commenting on such a star billing, Cliffs Pavilion Theatre Director Ellen McPhillips said: “We really are delighted to be welcoming such huge pantomime stars to Southend for this year’s pantomime. The people of Essex have become accustomed to top names appearing in our Christmas productions and we know from experience how popular both of these stars are.
“As well as his recent visit in Barnum, Brian Conley also starred in our pantomime in 2009 when he was hugely popular and broke all Box Office records. Lesley Joseph has been a top pantomime star in this country for many years and, although not having appeared in a Southend panto, did perform in a sell-out week here with the massively popular tour of Birds of a Feather. With two such stellar names topping the bill we know that Essex audiences are assured of yet another cracking pantomime this Christmas”

Cinderella runs at the Cliffs Pavilion from Saturday 12 December 2015 to Sunday 3 January 2016. Tickets are already on sale and can be booked by calling 01702 351135 or by visiting our website!