MissJason

Delivering a high flying Dame to Derby!

Jason Sutton, Entertainer of the Year 2011 will be flying into the Assembly Rooms, Derby, this Christmas when he appears in the pantomime adventures of Peter Pan.

A popular personality performing across the country, Jason is perhaps best known for his drag persona Miss Jason, who has been entertaining audiences on stage and TV for the last 11 years. Appearances on Drag Queen Weakest Link saw him charm Ann Robinson, he cooked himself into runners-up position on Come Dine with Me and had two recent cameos in Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is for the BBC.

Jason joined Paul Holman Associates for his first professional pantomime two years ago and audiences and critics alike have fallen for his warm, comforting and comic take on pantomime dame.

Producer Paul Holman said:

"Jason has the ability to take the traditional dame and give it a 2012 twist. Audiences can't fail to enjoy his larger then life personality and his fabulous costumes. His performances are a little bit Les Dawson, a little bit Jessie J and a whole lot of fun!"

Jason will be joining Peter Pan in the role of Dame Able Mabel, nanny to Wendy, Peter and John who lead her on a flight from the rooftops of old London town to Never Never Land via the second star on the right!

The pantomime adventures of Peter Pan open on Wednesday 5 December until Sunday 6 January 2013. Tickets are available now by calling the box office on 01332 255 800 or visit www.derbylive.co.uk

Larry Lamb sets course for nautical naughtiness in Never Never Land!

There is only one actor who can take on the role of a manipulative East End villain at the same time as playing one of the nation's most sensible and loveable Dads in an award winning comedy. - 27 April 2012

Larry Lamb, original soap hunk and heartbreaker, star of stage and screen, EastEnders villain and Gavin's Dad in Gavin and Stacey is to headline the pantomime adventures of Peter Pan as the dark and devious Captain Hook.

In a career which began with Larry sailing the North Sea in the BBC's Triangle, he'll be docking the Jolly Roger at the Assembly Rooms, Derby later this year, bringing ship loads of pantomime style nautical naughtiness in his battle to out wit and out manoeuvre Peter Pan.

Loved and loathed, Larry was voted Villain of the Year for his menacing portrayal of the 'archetypal Mitchell' in the BBC's EastEnders. Having terrorised and tormented his family and neighbours, Archie Mitchell was finally killed off on Christmas Day 2009, in a programme watched by nearly 17 million viewers.

A week later, a happy ever after ending in the final episode of the BAFTA award wining Gavin and Stacey was viewed by over 10 million people. Larry played the loveable Mick Shipman in the hit comedy written by James Corden and Ruth Jones.

There has hardly been a time when Larry hasn't been in peoples living rooms! Who do you think you are?, Spooks, Murphy's Law, Midsomer Murders, Kananagh QC, Our Friends in the North are just a very few of the popular TV programmes Larry has appeared in.

On the big screen, he starred as Great Train Robber Bruce Reynolds alongside Phil Collins in Buster, as well as appearances in Superman 1, 2 and 3 as a reporter on the Daily Planet. On stage, he has played Frank in Educating Rita and Claudius in Hamlet for the RSC, to name just a few.

The pantomime adventures of Peter Pan is being produced by Paul Holman Associates and Derby Live.
Paul Holman said:

"Having Larry on board this year is excellent news. He has the skills to combine comedy with evilness, making him the perfect Hook. I'm very excited about this year's pantomime; the story will closely follow the Darling children's adventure to Never Never Land, and will definitely be a pantomime version. We'll be including a dame, played by Jason Sutton, who was voted Entertainer of the Year last year, and or course, there will be plenty of magic, including spectacular flying and a few surprises!

"People should definitely book their tickets early for this year's show. Larry's appearances in panto have been complete sell outs with even Larry unable to book tickets for his family! So get down to the Box Office or call them soon."

Peter Ireson, Director for Derby LIVE said:

"We're extremely excited to have been able to secure Larry to play Captain Hook at the Assembly Rooms this Christmas. Larry is one of those special breed of actors who as well being a popular household name from his TV work, has also trodden the boards at the RSC and National Theatre. It is this blend of popular appeal and quality which make him perfect for this role at Derby LIVE."

Peter Pan will be flying into the Assembly Rooms from 5 December to 6 January 2013 and will have all the comedy capers, colourful costumes and creative scenery Derby audiences have come to expect and deserve. Tickets are already selling fast, and with Larry Lamb's appearance now confirmed, this year's pantomime is on course to break box office records.