Birmingham Hippodrome has announced that actress and singer Jodie Prenger will star as Fairy Bow Bells alongside the previously announced cast John Barrowman, Steve McFadden, The Krankies and Matt Slack in the magical pantomime adventure, Dick Whittington.

Best-known for winning the coveted role of Nancy in the West End revival of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! through the BBC talent show I’d Do Anything, Jodie rose to fame singing for survival in front of a panel of famous judges, including John Barrowman, and millions of television viewers every Saturday night. After a brief appearance in Les Misérables, Jodie went on to perform the role of Nancy to public and critical acclaim at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, winning the Theatregoers’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

In addition to her stage work Jodie appeared as Diane in the BBC series Candy Cabs. She is a regular guest DJ for BBC Radio 2, came second in Let’s Dance for Comic Relief and joined John Barrowman on his self-titled album and accompanying tour, performing the love song ‘So Close’ from Disney’s Enchanted. Most recently Jodie finished a lengthy UK tour in the one-woman musical, Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Tell Me On a Sunday and preceding that she starred in the title role of Calamity Jane on its UK tour.

Speaking about her role at Birmingham Hippodrome, Jodie Prenger said: “I’m so excited to be heading to Birmingham this Christmas and working with my old I’d Do Anything judge John Barrowman. We’ve been saying for years we should do another show together so to get the chance to do panto with him, Steve McFadden, the Krankies and Matt Slack is really exciting. I can’t wait!”

Dick Whittington executive producer and director Michael Harrison said: “Jodie is perfect for panto. She has a fantastic voice, she is a naturally gifted comedienne and will add a wealth of West End leading lady star quality to what is already shaping up to be our biggest and best Hippodrome pantomime yet.”

Dick Whittington runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 19 December 2016 until Sunday 29 January 2017. Tickets from £15.50* can be booked on 0844 338 5000† or from birminghamhippodrome.com.

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For further information, please contact Helen Annetts at Birmingham Hippodrome
07779 026720, helenannetts@birminghamhippodrome.com

*Prices and discounts subject to change, 5% transaction charge applies (excluding cash sales in person), postage from £1.
† 0844 calls cost 4.5p plus your phone company’s access charge.

Notes to Editors:
Birmingham Hippodrome is an independent, not-for-profit, registered charity welcoming an average 500,000 visits annually making it the most popular single auditorium in the UK. Birmingham Royal Ballet and DanceXchange are resident partners; the theatre presents all of Welsh National Opera’s repertoire, co-produces the award-winning International Dance Festival and welcomes the best in international dance, major touring dramas, and West End musicals. Home to the world’s biggest Pantomime it also houses the 200-seat Patrick Centre, with extensive events facilities, and its own restaurant.

As a charity with no public revenue funding, Birmingham Hippodrome receives generous support from the business community through sponsorship and other partnerships; from individuals through donations and memberships; and from grant-making Trusts for special programming and infrastructure projects. It is a major employer and plays a leading role in the Southside Business Improvement District.

Through Hippodrome CREATIVE we deliver successful projects in education and the wider community. With numerous supportive partners we have recently co-produced and produced new events including Minimum Monument, The Voyage, Summer in Southside, About Town, Blitz, the 4 Squares Weekender and Birmingham Weekender (celebrating the opening of New Street and Grand Central alongside the Rugby World Cup). Furious Folly will be presented this summer in Sutton Park co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW for the World War One commemorations.

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust Ltd, Charity No. 510842.
Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB.
birminghamhippodrome.com