Liverpool Empire have hooked star shipmates for this years pantomime adventure

Stars of this year’s spectacular Liverpool Empire pantomime brought the Benidorm sunshine back to Liverpool yesterday when they headed over to the roof of St George’s Hall to pose for photographs revealing the full star line up of this year’s all-new production Peter Pan, coming to the Empire this Christmas season.

Benidorm stars Tony Maudsley and Asa Elliott will be joined by much-loved Liverpool television and stage actor Louis Emerick, as well as Empire favourite funny man John Evans, with X Factor finalist Niki Evans providing the glamour as The Magical Mermaid. Opens from Saturday 7 December and runs to Sunday 29 December.

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Tony Maudsley will be taking a break from the Benidorm hairdressing salon where he is best-known for playing the lovable Kenneth Du Beke in the long-running, award-winning ITV comedy. A series regular in the award-winning comedy series from 2011, he won legions of fans thanks to his hilarious comedy, array of outlandish outfits and screen presence. Most recently Tony reprised his role as Kenneth in Benidorm Live, which sold out 28 theatres across the UK, including a sold out run at the Liverpool Empire.

Tony Maudsley as Kenneth the Cabin Boy

The Kirkby-born actor has previously been nominated for Best Actor and Best Newcomer by the Royal Television Society, appeared recently in Stephen Poliakoff’s Summer of Rockets for the BBC and ITV’s The Job Lot and starred as the inimitable musical theatre matriarch Edna Turnblad in a critically acclaimed UK tour of the musical Hairspray.

He also appeared in films alongside Johnny Depp in Sleepy Hollow, Vanity Fair alongside Reece Witherspoon, with David Suchet in Agatha Christie’s Poirot and in Bright Young Things, directed by Stephen Fry appearing alongside a roster of star names including Richard E Grant, Imelda Staunton, John Mills, Peter O’Toole and Michael Sheen. Swapping his curling iron for a mop to keep the Jolly Roger ship shape, Tony will play Kenneth the Cabin Boy.

Louis Emerick is best known and well-loved for his twelve year portrayal of Brookside’s Mick Johnson, and has been a mainstay on British Television for the last three decades, appearing on many of the nation’s best loved programmes including Last of the Summer Wine, Casualty, New Tricks, The Bill, Waterloo Road and Coronation Street, as well as appearing in the film Layer Cake opposite James Bond actor Daniel Craig.

Louis Emerick

Louis has also proven himself to be a critically acclaimed stage performer appearing both at the Liverpool Empire and Royal Court, Liverpool, as well as at the Contact Theatre, Manchester alongside Mark Rylance in The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui, and in works at the Royal Exchange and Stephen Joseph Theatre. In musicals he has starred as Santa in Elf the Musical and in various pantomimes. Most recently Louis completed the UK tour of The Full Monty, which played the Empire to critical and audience acclaim.  Making the leap from strip to ship, Louis will star as Neverland’s most evil pirate, the villainous Captain Hook.

John Evans makes a welcome return to play ship-mate Smee. In this, his third consecutive Empire panto appearance, John will bring his much-loved quick wit and hilarious comedy routines which Empire audiences have come to expect. John’s clever comedy has taken him across the world, entertaining the British Forces on a number of occasions, as well as becoming a firm favourite with the world’s major cruise lines.

Joining as the leader of the Neverlanders, Tiger Billy, will be Tony’s Benidorm co-star Asa Elliott. Best known for playing the lead-vocalist of the fictional Neptune’s Club on the hit television show, Asa regularly show-cased his impressive vocals, appearing for, and alongside, the wide range of famous faces who appeared in the hit ITV show. Having also appeared in cabaret, musicals and television productions throughout his career, including an appearance on Stars in Their Eyes, Asa also starred with Tony in the UK tour of Benidorm Live.

Josh here with @TheLouisEmerick & @TonyMaudsley1 who will be starring in the @LiverpoolEmpire panto 'Peter Pan' this Christmas!

I'll let them tell you why you should book your tickets now 👍

👉 https://t.co/LwhVGjJ9XR pic.twitter.com/PaTAisVe3V

— The Guide Liverpool 🌇 (@TheGuideLpool) October 2, 2019

Niki Evans will shimmy onto stage alongside the boys as The Magical Mermaid. X Factor finalist and musical star, Niki began her singing career when she signed to Pete Waterman’s record label at just 16, and soon after made her TV debut on BBC’s Star for a Night. Despite missing out on the coveted prize, Niki joined the X Factor Live tour, and has since released her debut album By Request.  She’s also performed in numerous musicals across the UK and in London’s West End, including the iconic Mrs Johnstone inBlood Brothers, Miss Mason in Cool Rider, Paulette in Legally Blonde and as Trish in Kinky Boots, as well as appearing in various pantomime’s for producers Qdos.

Diane Belding, General Manager Liverpool Empire, comments, “This year’s panto at the Empire brings a breath of warmer climes blown in from Benidorm, courtesy of TV stars Tony and Asa. Back by popular demand, local funny man John adds to the hair-raising thrills in their tussles with Louis’ ultimate baddy, Captain Hook. Niki completes our star cast, bringing her glamour and big voice to the stage, in this not-to-be-missed show for all the family.”

Today we are at the press launch of this year's @LiverpoolEmpire Christmas Panto 'Peter Pan' and we've hiked to the top of St George's Hall to be here! 😂🏛️ pic.twitter.com/5F5NqTJWGA

— The Guide Liverpool 🌇 (@TheGuideLpool) October 2, 2019

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Produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime company, Peter Pan marks the Empire’s third collaboration with the world’s biggest pantomime producers, having previously staged productions of Cinderella which starred Duncan James and Jodie Prenger, and last year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk which starred Strictlyhead judge Shirley Ballas.

Packed to the crows-nest with laugh-out-loud comedy, spectacular special effects, music, and action, audiences shouldn’t leave it any longer to hook tickets to Liverpool’s high-flying pantomime adventure, Peter Pan, or they’ll be forced to walk the plank.

To book your tickets for this show, click here.

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