Kerry Katona to star in pantomime alongside former Coronation Street favourite

It may well be an unlikely pairing, but Kerry Katona is teaming up with former Corrie character Les Battersby for one of this year’s much-anticipated pantomimes.

With productions cancelled last year amid the pandemic, families are looking forward to being able to watch live shows back in the theatre once again.

And the stars are out in force for this year’s Sleeping Beauty at Oldham’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Atomic Kitten singer Kerry will be playing the role of the evil Carabosse, while long-serving Coronation Street cast member Bruce Jones, aka Battersby dad Les, will play the King.

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Hollyoaks’ Milo, actor Nathan Morris, will also feature as Prince Percy, while Strictly Come Dancing contestant, businesswoman Sara Davies and star of Dragon’s Den, will rather aptly be the voice behind the dragon.

Completing the cast are returning Oldham Grange Theatre Panto favourites Kate Salmon as Fairy Tale, Jeffrey Longmore as Dame Dolly, Chris Jefferies as Wally and Britain’s Got Talent’s Enola Dyer as Princess Aurora.

Audiences are promised two-and-a-half hours of ‘toe-tapping song and dance, colourful costumes, fantastic sets and wonderful special effects all wrapped up in a hilarious laugh-a-minute script’.

Producer Anton Benson said: “We are thrilled to be back working on live panto in Oldham and with such a fantastic casting line-up. Kerry is superb in panto, a real treat and a quintessential baddie.

“Bruce is very funny and Nathan a hoot. Plus all our returning regulars are at the very top of their game to deliver our laugh out loud script with more cheer than you can shake a holly branch at.”

The production was initially scheduled to run at the Grange Theatre, but will now be on at the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hall, from December 14 to January 2.

The show has been written by Anton, directed by Kate Salmon, choreographed by Beth Portman and Kate Salmon with musical supervision by Ashley M A Walsh and musical direction by Chris Higgins. Dancers will be provided by Footlights in Failsworth.

For tickets, adults £17, children £14.50 or £55 for a family, visit the website here or call 0333 666 33 66.