Panto dame racks up 1,000 performances at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
Versatile actor Damian Williams has made history at Sheffield Lyceum by racking up his 1,000th performance as a panto dame.
This year, he stars as Dame Dolly in Aladdin which is running at the Lyceum until January 4. Damian has also announced his return for next year's panto, Cinderella, continuing his role at the Lyceum for Christmases to come.
On reaching his 1000th show, Damian said: "I’m really pleased to have reached this milestone performance - I’ve loved doing every single one of them.”
This is his 18th year that the fondly-adopted Sheffielder has performed as dame at the Lyceum. Damian, who lives in Southend, said: “I’ve said many times before that I see Sheffield as my second home.”
He has toured the country for more than 25 years and has a wealth of experience in theatre, as well as roles in television for the BBC, Sky One and more. A well-respected farceur, Damian’s first love is comedy, with his heroes including Laurel and Hardy and Tommy Cooper, the latter of whom he has performed as in a number of plays. After a season at Edinburgh Fringe last year, his performance as Cooper in new play The Last Laugh, was enjoyed on the West End, off Broadway and up and down the UK on tour.
Damian will be returning to The Last Laugh in 2026 with a nationwide tour which includes a visit to Buxton Opera House from August 25 to 29, 2026. Tickets cost from £25, go to www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Meanwhile, to book tickets to see him playing the dame in panto at Sheffield Lyceum, go to www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk