Star studded panto Dick Whittington at The Lowry until 6th January

The Lowry brings together stars in the magical tale of the boy sets off for London where the streets are paved with gold...

The ‘Only and Only’ Chesney Hawkes, Darren Day, Ex Emmerdale actors Frazer Hines and Stephanie Dooley, radio personality John Bishop and new talent Tara Wells star in the magical tale of Dick Whittington at The Lowry this Christmas.

Leading the way is Chesney Hawkes in his panto debut as Dick Whittington. Chesney shot to fame in 1991 when he starred in the film ‘Buddy's Song' alongside Roger Daltrey and Michael Elphick. The soundtrack featured ‘The One and Only,’ a song which catapulted Chesney to the top of the charts and kept him among the best-sellers for almost four months.

Top TV and musical artist Darren Day turns bad guy in the role of King Rat alongside his off-stage wife Stephanie Dooley who plays the fairy. Stephanie was a familiar face in Yorkshire TV’s Emmerdale in which she played secretary Zara Baynard.v Frazer Hines (Alderman Fitzwarren) is one of TV’s most familiar faces, renowned for his roles in two of the small screen’s most popular shows: Dr Who and Emmerdale.

John Bishop (Captain Cuttle), known for his award winning radio show on Liverpool’s Radio City 97.6, joins Dick Whittington after a successful stand up comedy run at the Edinburgh Festival.

Tara Wells (Alice Fitzwarren) is no stranger to panto at The Lowry having performed in Peter Pan in 2003.  At the age of four Tara appeared in the film Blondefist and has gone on to perform with companies including the English National Ballet.

Dick Whittington goes to seek fame and fortune in the city of London, where, he is told, the streets are paved with gold. Picking his way through the good, the bad - and the ridiculous - Dick eventually overcomes all obstacles to find his sweetheart and finally become Lord Mayor of London.