Top tenor Wynne Evans will be making his pantomime debut – as if by magic.
Wynne, who famously plays flamboyant opera star Gio Compario in the gocompare.com insurance ads, will play the role of the Evil Mirror in Snow White at the Stiwt Theatre.
Earlier in the year, he will be starring with opera superstar Bryn Terfel in a landmark production of Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street which is the curtain raiser for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July.
According to Wynne, he can’t wait to make his first ever pantomime appearance.
He will be using the magic of theatre to appear each night as the face and voice of the mirror.
He said: “I love pantomime but it’s not something, it’s a totally different discipline to opera of course.
“Having said that, Christmas simply isn’t Christmas without panto and, even though my part will be pre-recorded, I will be travelling up to Rhos with my children to see the production.
“It promises to have plenty of good laughs and I know it’s going to be a very good production. I can’t yet say what is in the script, we are keeping that under wraps so as not to spoil the show.
“However, I think it’s pretty safe to say Gio Compario will be making an appearance.
“I know the cast is going to be stellar and it is going to be one of the region’s top panto’s and a show not to be missed.”
Wynne, 42, who was born in Carmarthen, was an established opera star long before he was picked to play Gio Compario for the Go Compare TV ads and has performed at many of the world’s top venues including the Royal Albert Hall.
Snow White at the Stiwt will cap a busy year for Wynne who will interrupt a July run of Covent Garden performances, in which he will play Airadne in the Richard Strauss opera, Auf Naxos, to dash to Llangollen to perform alongside Bryn Terfel.
Lee Kelly, who runs Liverpool-based LHK Productions, is returning to the Stiwt again this Christmas with his updated and fun version of the traditional Snow White family tale.
He said: “We are just casting the show but I really wanted to make sure we had Wynne Evans on board right from the outset. He might not be on stage in person but will appear, by the magic of theatre, as the Evil Mirror for each and every one of the 37 planned performances. I don’t want to give too much away with regard to the script but Wynne will be appearing as his now famous Gio Compario character.
“Wynne really is a huge name, not just because of the go compare.com TV ads but his wonderful opera performances too. We are privileged to have managed to secure his services and look forward to going through the script with him.”
“Snow White is something special and is definitely a family favourite. It delivers a mix of fun and traditional pantomime, it’s the same recipe which made last year’s Stiwt show, Jack and the Beanstalk such a massive runaway hit.
Lee who has worked with top international stars including Kylie Minogue, Geri Halliwell and Boy George, added: “It’s a timeless tale. Snow White tells the story of a beautiful princess and her jealous step mother, obsessed with getting rid of Snow White and becoming the fairest of them all.
“After fleeing the kingdom to escape the queen’s evil plans, Snow White seeks refuge with seven dwarfs living in the forest. Taking pity on the girl, the dwarfs allow her to stay with them.
“Complete with song and dance Snow White will have you on the edge of your seat. But will she get to return home and marry her Prince Charming and live happily ever after?”
Snow White will at the Theatr Stiwt from Wednesday, December 10. And there is a £10 offer on all tickets until June 30.
For more information visit www.stiwt.com or call the Box Office on 01978 844053.
