Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn swaps skates for a bag of beans this festive season at Royal & Derngate

Following last year’s hugely successful production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, this Christmas Royal & Derngate will be staging the spectacular giant of a pantomime – Jack and the Beanstalk. Heart throb, TV and West End star Ray Quinn will lead the cast in the role of Jack.

Ray has become one of the UK’s much loved performers appearing in the X Factor finals and winning Dancing on Ice. Ray wowed audiences when he appeared in the arena tour of the ice show. Following his appearance in the final of the X Factor in 2007, Ray released his first album Doing It My Way. In 2008 he starred in the West End production of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre playing Danny.

Ray will be taking to the ice again with Torvil and Dean's Dancing on Ice Tour 2010 in April when he will be back to defend his title as Dancing On Ice Tour Champion with new partner Alexandra Schauman.

Emma Stephens will be partnering and joining Ray on stage this festive season as the Princess. She trained at Laine Theatre Arts and shot to fame when she starred with Ray in the West End musical Grease as Sandy. Her previous credits include Starlight Express and Saturday Night Fever.

Jonathan Kiley, Executive Producer said, “We are thrilled that Ray will be appearing here in Northampton for the first time. Each year more and more people attend the pantomime here at Royal & Derngate and it has become Northampton’s most successful Christmas show. In fact, over 8,000 tickets have already been sold for Jack and the Beanstalk eight months ahead of its opening night!”

Jack and the Beanstalk is staged by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s largest pantomime producer. Featuring magnificent scenery, beautiful costumes, an abundance of comedy, a larger than life beanstalk and one very mean giant at the top of it, this favourite fairy tale will be brought magically to life in Northampton’s biggest pantomime. With ticket prices to suit all pockets you won’t have to sell the family cow to enjoy spectacular pantomime at Royal & Derngate.

Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Royal & Derngate from Friday 10 December 2010 to Sunday 9 January 2011. Tickets can be booked on 01604 624811 or www.royalandderngate.co.uk.