Cast of ‘Aladdin’ make Lincoln’s wishes come true this Christmas at The Drill

After more than a year of lockdowns and isolations, the cast of this Christmas’s spectacular pantomime ‘Aladdin’ are preparing to bring some much-needed magic to Lincoln!

For the past fourteen years, local company Jamie Marcus Productions Ltd have been entertaining the city with their spectacular traditional pantomimes at Lincoln Drill. However, last year that record was interrupted by the pandemic and the closure of the venue.

This year’s production promises to be no less spectacular. Packed full of songs, laughs and a spectacular flying carpet that will whisk Aladdin and Princess Jasmine away to their ‘whole new world’, the return of this much-loved Lincoln Christmas tradition is hotly anticipated!

Not only will ‘Aladdin’ audiences have the chance to enjoy panto again, but they’ll also be the first to experience the facilities of the recently refurbished Drill under its new management, Lincoln College Group.

 Lincoln College Group Director of Business Development and partnerships Mark Taylor said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the Panto at the Drill is back. It’s so important to so many families in the City and beyond.

“Work has already started on significant renovations and we’re sure everyone will love the new look and feel of the place.”

Familiar faces, dazzling costumes, fantastic scenery and breath-taking special effects make the perfect Christmas treat for the whole family.

The Drill and Jamie Marcus Productions Ltd are both delighted to welcome back by popular demand everyone’s favourite Dame, James Campbell as Aladdin’s long-suffering mother ‘Widow Twankey’, in this magical tale of wishes coming true. Expect more outrageous costumes, hilarious gags, and gravity defying wigs from the wash-a-day Widow this year!

Joining James in this year’s show is a face residents and movie goers may be familiar with; local lad and ex Lincoln College student Craig Garner returns to his roots this year as the evil wizard Abanazer.

Craig began his acting career in the Drill Hall panto and has gone on to enjoy a success in such blockbuster films as ‘Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows,’ ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ ‘Pokemon,’ and ‘Snow White & The Huntsman.’

He’s currently filming a new Marvel film for Disney but has been sworn to secrecy: “I’ve had to sign a non-disclosure agreement which means I can’t tell you anymore about that unfortunately, so you’ll just have to keep your eyes peeled for new releases!”

Craig is thrilled to be back in his hometown, with a dream part in his favourite panto. He said “I couldn’t be more excited to be back working with Jamie Marcus Productions Ltd where it all started with them years ago. It’s all come full circle! And to be playing one of my favourite baddies of all time, Abanazer, is just a wish come true! Come and support your local arts centre!”

Jamie Marcus, the producer of the show, is delighted to be back at Lincoln Drill Hall. “After the last year, we all wondered whether we’d ever be back in theatres again, so to hear that The Drill was being reopened by Lincoln College Group, and that we could bring our hugely popular panto back where it belongs, was the best news we’d had in a very long time! With some shows already sold out, I am very excited to be producing the panto again at The Drill this Christmas.

“We realise that some audience members might still feel a little apprehensive about coming back inside theatres, and that’s why we’ve decided to keep some social distancing in place with our panto seating this year.

“Coupled with a thorough cleaning regime and regular testing for the cast and crew and venue staff, we’re leaving one seat between every booking for everyone’s safety and comfort.

“Audiences will be thrilled with what we’ve got planned this year, and not least our stunning special effect!  In 2017 we had a Red Arrow flying over everyone’s heads, and in 2019 they loved Cinderella’s crystal flying coach and unicorn.  I can’t wait to see the reaction with 2021’s fabulous flying carpet!”.

Tickets start from just £16 with a Family Ticket starting from £66.

Cast includes:

Rory Dulku as Aladdin

Craig Garner as Abanazer

Georgia Gallagher as Princess Jasmine

Jordan Shiel as PC Pork Pie and The Genie

Daniella Rocca as The Slave of The Ring

And featuring

James Campbell as Widow Twankey

Aladdin runs from 6 December 2021 to 2 January 2022