One of the stars of Chester panto Aladdin, currently being staged at The Forum Studio Theatre in the city centre, has spoken of his joy at being back home for Christmas and to be performing in the venue where he took his first tentative steps on stage, leading to a career which has taken him all around the world.
Born in Chester and raised in Broughton, professional actor and singer Ashley Sollars, 30, is starring as Aladdin in the former Chester Gateway Theatre building where he first set foot on stage with Tip Top Productions in a production of Godspell aged just 11.
Ashley went on to appear in a whole host of productions with Tip Top before becoming a professional performer and embarking on a career which to date has included TV show Don’t Stop Believing for Channel 5, Hold Tight It’s 60s Night for Tip Top Productions, This Is My Musical for Brownpaper Productions and Back to Broadway for Main Feature Productions in Dubai.
Most recently, Ashley spent several years travelling the world while performing in shows for Princess Cruises as a lead vocalist before recently returning to the North West and touring theatres as Frankie Valli in Bye Bye Baby which features the music of legendary 60s group The Four Seasons.
Ashley, who now lives in Buckley with his fiancee, professional singing coach and actress Jospehine McHugh and their two dogs Misty and Merlin, said: “I’ve always loved panto. It generates a fantastic Christmas spirit in everyone and it’s just honest, great family fun.
“I’m really enjoying being back with Tip Top at The Forum Studio Theatre once more and being back home for the holiday season!
“I love Christmas and what better place to be than at home with your friends and family.”
Joining Ashley on stage are some familiar faces from previous Tip Top pantomimes including Jade Pritchard as Princess Jasmine, Andrew Rawlinson-Heath as The Slave of The Ring and Dan Ellis as Wishee Washee.
Following their hilarious antics last year as the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, Kevin Dewsbury and Ethan Holmes also return with Kevin donning some outrageous outfits once again, this time as Widow Twankey and Ethan channelling his inner villain as the Pantomime’s very own baddie, the evil Abanazar.
The show’s director Steve Davies said: “It’s fantastic to have Ashley on board this year and to also be welcoming back some familiar faces to our panto family.
“The feedback received from audiences so far has been fabulous, I know that the cast and crew are really throwing themselves into making sure that everyone has a memorable time when they come to see the show, it’s great to stage a proper traditional, family friendly Panto in Chester once again and we hope that our audiences, young and old have a wonderful time.”
The pantomime, staged by Tip Top Productions and written by Peter Swingler OBE, is suitable for all ages and is running at the Forum Studio Theatre until Saturday, January 5.
Full details including performance dates and times, ticket prices including family and group tickets can be found at www.chestertheatre.co.uk where tickets can be booked online. Alternatively, contact the box office on 01244 341296.
