News: Joe McElderry Joins The Cast Of Theatre Royal panto

Theatre Royal Pantomime Has The X Factor!

Joe McElderry Joins The Cast Of Humpty Dumpty For Christmas 2020

Newcastle Theatre Royal is delighted to announce that singer, songwriter and actor Joe McElderry will be joining panto royalty Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Chris Hayward in this year’s egg-cellent family pantomime Humpty Dumpty  which runs from Tuesday 24^th November 2020 – Sunday 17^th January 2021.

Joe McElderry became a household name after winning the sixth series of ITV’s The X Factor in 2009. His first single, ‘The Climb’ reached number one in the UK singles chart. Joe was also a contestant on ITV’s Pop Star to Opera Star and Channel 4’s The Jump and regularly tours the UK.

In 2017, Joe played the lead role in Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoat, culminating in a festive run at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena where he received a fantastic reception from his hometown audiences. In theatre he has also starred in The Who’s Tommy and toured the UK throughout 2019 in the new musical Club Tropicana. Last year Joe also completed his Impossible Dream tour, which was a celebration of 10 years of music since his X Factor win.

Humpty Dumpty marks Joe’s seventh pantomime for Qdos Entertainment, having starred in productions of Cinderella, Aladdin and Dick Whittington. Joe recently starred alongside Lesley Joseph, Matt Slack, Faye Brookes and Flawless in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Birmingham Hippodrome where he thrilled audiences and critics with his powerhouse vocals as The Spirit of the Mirror.

Joe joins the masters of mayhem Danny Adams and Clive Webb in what will be their 16^th consecutive Theatre Royal pantomime, alongside the Grande Dame of Grey Street, Chris Hayward, who this year will celebrate his 14^th panto season in Newcastle. Last year Danny, and his brother Mick, starred in the first two series of Danny & Mick on CBBC, which saw them nominated for Best New Sitcom from the British Comedy Guide. They are currently recording a further two series which will be broadcast later this year. 

Qdos Entertainment’s Managing Director Michael Harrison said: “Last Christmas, as well as directing Beauty and the Beast at Newcastle Theatre Royal and Goldilocks and The Three Bears at The London Palladium, I was lucky enough to work with Joe McElderry on Snow White at Birmingham Hippodrome. Joe is one of the nicest, kindest, funniest and most talented performers I have ever worked with. His vocals are world-class and his personality both on stage and off makes him a natural for pantomime.

“Joe thought it impossible that he would ever be able to be part of the legendary Theatre Royal pantomime because reigning stars Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Chris Hayward are as popular as ever selling tens of thousands of tickets every year. However, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to add him to this year’s brand-new pantomime Humpty Dumpty, creating a new dimension to our show. I can’t wait for this brilliant performer to join the gang and for our audiences to see why I love him and his extraordinary talent so much. I’m sure they will feel the same - they are in for a treat!”

Speaking on his casting Joe McElderry said: “I am so glad to have been asked by Michael to join the cast of Humpty Dumpty at Newcastle Theatre Royal, without doubt one of my favourite theatres in the world. I’m over the moon to get the chance to be at home in Newcastle over the festive period and absolutely delighted to join the legends that are Danny, Clive and Chris in panto-land”

Tickets

Humpty Dumpty plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 24 November 2020 – Sunday 17 January 2021. Tickets from £14.50 are selling fast and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk . Over 50,000 tickets have already been sold for this year’s pantomime so audiences shouldn’t leave it too long to secure their tickets to Newcastle’s favourite festive production.