Radio Wave’s Hayley Kay has had her Christmas wishes granted already this year! The bubbly breakfast presenter will cleverly combine her role as the glamorous Genie in Aladdin at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre from Friday 9 December to Sunday 8 January with being a marvellous mum to her baby boy Freddie. Oh yes she will!

“It’s a dream come true to be able to do pantomime again this year,” says the Blackpool born and bred DJ. “Freddie was born last December and we had the most magical family time with him and it was very special. But it was very strange not to be learning lines and I did miss my pantomime family too. I took Freddie to meet all the panto gang at The Grand, of course, and he had a great time. They made a real fuss of him!”

Freddie will be one year old on December 6 and Hayley is also planning a big family christening event to coincide with the tiny tot’s first birthday party. “I want both occasions to be really special and so we are going to bring the two together and have a really big celebration at the end of November before panto rehearsals begin on the 28th of the month and I am all caught up with that.”
Phew! Will Hayley need a magic carpet of her own to whizz round and get everything done? Working parents could all do with a Genie to help out at this time of year and Hayley is spinning plates as well as records trying to get her head around it all.

“It’s a different set of challenges this year than previously,” she laughs. “But I do have an incredible amount of support from my family. Freddie has a fabulous relationship with his grandparents and they worship him, so they are more than happy to help out a bit more over the panto season. I am so lucky to have them there for me and for Freddie as I know the bond he has with them is very special.

“I also have Freddie’s schedule all sorted and I will be the boring cast member this year who goes home early after the show to get to bed – until I had a baby I never realised how sleep deprived a parent becomes and now I know why they use sleep deprivation as a form of torture! I have also booked myself in for a flu jab and make sure I eat right and get as much rest as I can. It’s a military operation!”

But it’s one Hayley wouldn’t change for the world: “Freddie is my everything and I am so happy to be a mum. But I am incredibly excited to be able to do something just for me again and pantomime is just so much fun. I am also very happy to be playing a magical part again this year. The Slave of The Ring is Aladdin’s right hand woman and it’s amazing to see the little ones faces light up in the audience when they see me.”

And what will little Freddie think of his mum in costume? “He has seen me already in my full outfit and he looked very perplexed. But then I spoke and he realised it was me and he gave me the biggest smile. Freddie will definitely be coming to see me in the show too, It’s such a lovely family environment at pantomime at the Grand that I know he will just love it.”

And Hayley’s panto family this year are TV soap regular Mark Moraghan (Holby City, Coronation Street); Blackpool lad and BAFTA-winning CBBC star Barney Harwood; BBC Radio Lancashire and Grand panto legend Steve Royle; celebrated scriptwriter Philip Meeks (Emmerdale, Heartbeat, Doctors) and comedy magician Mark James in Aladdin’s enchanting tale of magic, mayhem and a most mysterious lamp, live on the Grand Theatre’s famous stage. It’s a fabulous, fairytale treat for all the family this festive season!

Cheeky hero Aladdin sets off on a thrilling quest to win the heart of the beautiful Princess, battle against evil sorcerer Abanazer’s dastardly dark magic and retrieve a mysterious, magical lamp. All the family will love this classic Arabian fantasy full of hit songs, hilarious dance routines and another rollicking good script. It’s jam-packed with music and dance, fun and laughter, a wicked uncle and, of course, an incredible genie. This fabulous, feel-good tale of love and courage is sprinkled with lots of seasonal sparkle and is the perfect way to experience the traditional magic of Christmas.

Will Aladdin and the princess ever find true love? Will the Princess tell her father of Abanazar’s dastardly dark plot? And, more importantly, will Widow Twanky ever get her washing done? Answers to all these questions and more await in the most spectacular pantomime of the season – Aladdin – at Blackpool Grand Theatre!

Following last year’s record-breaking pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Blackpool audiences are guaranteed another year of spectacular sets, dazzling costumes and side-splitting comedy.

Aladdin plays at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Friday 9 December 2016 to Sunday 8 January 2017 starring Radio Wave’s popular breakfast presenter Hayley Kay as Slave of the Ring, Mark Moraghan (Holby City, Coronation Street) as evil sorcerer Abanazar; CBBC star Barney Harwood as plucky hero Aladdin; BBC Radio Lancashire presenter and madcap comic i as Wishee Washee; top soap scriptwriter Philip Meeks (Emmerdale, Heartbeat, Doctors) as Widow Twanky and comedy magician Mark James as PC Pong.

Fly to the Grand Theatre Box Office right now, book your seats and watch the whole family be spellbound by Aladdin. It’s the perfect gift this Christmas…

ALADDIN
Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Friday 9 December 2016 to Sunday 8 January 2017
Show times vary, visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/Aladdin
Audio Described and BSL Sign Interpreted performance – Sat 17 Dec 2016 (2pm)

TICKETS
Adults: Band A £22.50/£16.50, Band B £22.50/£16.50, Band C £16.50
Children: Band A £22.50/£16.50, Band B £20.50/£16.50, Band C £15.50
Concessions (Band B) £2 off Top Priced Adult Ticket
Friends of The Grand: £15.00 all Band B performances
Matcham Monkey: All seats £11.00 (Sat 10 & Sun 11 Dec)
Family Ticket: £66*
Senior Pass: £56*
*Only available: 27 Dec(7pm), 28 Dec (2pm), 29 Dec (2pm), 2 Jan (2pm), 3 Jan (7pm), 5 Jan (2pm & 7pm), 6 Jan (2pm & 7pm), 7 Jan (2pm & 7pm), 8 Jan (1pm)

Group discounts available call 01253 743232

Running Time approx. 2hrs 20mins including interval (first few performances may be longer)