MIranda and Emmerdale actors light up town’s panto

Buxton Opera House is launching its fun-filled festive show, Aladdin, this weekend.

James Holmes, best known as the volatile chef Clive in telly comedy Miranda, will milk the laughs as the dame, Widow Twankey.

He said: “I always wanted to do panto – it’s a bit of a ‘rite of passage’ for an actor: very different from anything else you might do in theatre.

“The idea of doing Dame isn’t something I’d entertained before but it’s exciting.

“I’m looking forward to spending Christmas in Buxton. The town looks lovely: small and very picturesque.”

Kelsey Beth Crossley, who played Scarlett in Emmerdale and reached battle stages on television talent show The Voice, plays Princess Jasmine. She said: “I have played a princess before, but I love that the Opera House has chosen an Arabian theme for “Aladdin” .

“I’ve done pantomime at Christmas for the last few years, so now that’s Christmas to me – panto!

“I love the fact that the cast have as much fun as the audience during the show.”

Breaks between performances will enable Kelsey to explore the town. She said: “I’ve never been to Buxton before but on a first impression I have to say I love the intimate, villagey sort of thing: old buildings and country lanes. On a lovely winter’s day it must be just like a fairytale.”

Aladdin opens at Buxton Opera House on Saturday, December 11, and runs until January 2. Tickets from £17.50, call 01298 72190 or visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

and runs until January 2.