Sir Ian McKellen has hailed “magical” pantomime after it was introduced that he's to star in a touring manufacturing of Mom Goose.
The acclaimed actor, 83, will play the eponymous lead position alongside comic John Bishop as Vic Goose and actor and former Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc because the Goose.
Written by Coronation Road’s Jonathan Harvey and directed by Cal McCrystal, the present will open on the Theatre Royal Brighton from December 3 to 11 earlier than a West Finish run on the Duke of York’s Theatre between December 15 and January 29.
It can then tour the UK till Easter, visiting the Liverpool Empire, Oxford New Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff and extra.
The pantomime tells the story of Mom Goose and her husband Vic, who run an animal sanctuary and reside a healthful life inside an deserted Debenhams division retailer, however the sudden arrival of a goose causes upheaval.
The three stars got here collectively to launch the present on the Londoner Resort in Leicester Sq. on Monday, the place Sir Ian climbed out of a large golden egg earlier than posing for pictures together with his co-stars.
Talking on the launch, he instructed the PA information company: “It's a critical story instructed comically. It's about good and dangerous, and naturally good at all times triumphs in a pantomime.
“It makes use of each gadget theatre can provide. There may be singing, there may be dancing, there may be rhyme, there are jokes, there may be sentiment, there may be viewers participation, there's a man dressed as a girl, a girl dressed as a goose.
“All the pieces has gone haywire and it's all for the viewers to have an excellent time. That's the solely purpose you do it.
“However what intrigues me is that it's has come out of this nation. And America has by no means seen a panto, so far as I do know.”
The manufacturing is described as “the last word theatrical feast filled with enjoyable, farce and greater than a few surprises that can make you honk out loud”.
Sir Ian, who appeared in drag as Widow Twankey in Aladdin at The Previous Vic between 2004 and 2006, known as for the Authorities to straight subsidise pantomime.
He mentioned: “I've accomplished pantomime earlier than as soon as and I loved it a lot, just because the viewers did.
“The one purpose that we do what we do is to entertain individuals. In the event that they don’t have an excellent time we haven’t accomplished our job correctly.
“Of all of the types of reside leisure, pantomime is the one wherein the viewers and the performer are literally collectively. If you will get it proper it's magical.
“And likewise, really, Authorities ought to subsidise pantomime, as a result of youngsters include their mother and father and their grandparents and their siblings and they're all laughing on the similar factor – and they're subsequent door to different households doing precisely the identical.
“It's actually fundamental stuff and reside leisure, there may be not sufficient of it round, and it's so particular. You may’t have that pantomime euphoria in entrance of the TV.”
Bishop mentioned showing alongside Sir Ian was a big consider him taking the position.
The comic, who has appeared in latest episodes of long-running BBC One collection Physician Who as Dan Lewis, mentioned: “Let’s be trustworthy. He's a legend, isn’t he? So everyone concerned on this manufacturing is elevating their sport a bit of bit.”
Set and costume design is by Liz Ascroft, choreography by Lizzi Gee, lighting design by Prema Mehta, sound design by Ben Harrison and puppet design and creation by Chris Barlow.
The present can even star Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Jack, Simbi Akande as Jill, Sharon Ballard as Evil Fairy Malignia and Karen Mavundukure as Good Fairy Encanta.