FROM THE HASTINGS OBSERVER

PANTO season is just around the corner (oh yes it is!) and the White Rock theatre has secured one of TV's most famous baddies to play a leading role.

Leslie Grantham, who played devious Dirty Den in EastEnders, takes the part of Abanazar in Aladdin, and the soap star will be aided and abetted by Neil Toon who has appeared in Holby City and Hollyoaks and Neil Brennan who returns by popular demand after his show-stopping performance as Captain Hook last year.

Also there will be a special guest appearance by none other than Churchill the dog.

Aladdin runs from December 11 to January 3.

For information visit www.aladdinhastings.com

Qdos Entertainment has signed a sponsorship deal with Churchill, which will see a puppet of the insurance provider’s dog appear in all 22 of Qdos’ pantomimes this Christmas.

While neither side is disclosing the precise terms of the deal, industry sources believe it to be worth in excess of £100,000. It will mark the first time that a branded character such as the Churchill dog has been included on stage as part of a commercial tie-in.

The dog, which is operated from within a box beneath the puppet, will feature alongside pantomime stars including John Barrowman, Shane Richie and Linda Lusardi and the shows’ scripts will include the character’s catchphrases from Churchill adverts - ‘Oh yes!’ and ‘Oh no!’. The deal is for one year with an option to extend.

Peter Deane, head of brand at Churchill said: “Churchill is thrilled to be involved in such an exciting partnership. Never before has a UK brand been so immersed into a theatre production to such a large audience reach - it really is taking UK brand sponsorship to a new level. This venture will bring the Churchill brand to life for the audience this Christmas, in an innovative and compelling fashion.”

The agreement follows a similar deal between First Family Entertainment - the UK’s second largest pantomime producer, after Qdos - with Robinsons. That deal also involves the brand having ‘creative input’ in all of FFE’s 12 productions.

CLICK HERE to see this story on THE STAGE website

The producer of Aladdin this year's White Rock panto, Julian Chenery, has announced a six movie deal to film his acclaimed Shakespeare 4  Kidz shows.

The first will be S4K's Hamlet, which appeared here at the White Rock as part of S4K's UK and international theatre tour in 2007.

CLICK HERE to see more news at the Shakespeare 4 Kidz website

CLICK HERE to go to the VARIETY website

A bright new star of the West End is flying into Hastings on his magic carpet to play Aladdin in the White Rock Theatre’s panto.

He is Neil Toon, a versatile 24 year old, whose West End roles include Link Larkin in the all-singing-all-dancing smash hit Hairspray and heart-throb Marius in the blockbuster Les Miserables. He’s also appeared in the popular TV teen soap Hollyoaks.

Neil’s Aladdin will do battle with EastEnders’ most famous villain, Leslie “Dirty Den” Grantham, who plays wicked Abanazar and leads a top flight company.