He's taking on the role of Dame Madeline Marzipan in this year's production of *Beauty and the Beast*.
Matthew Allen will be alongside him, making his first appearance in a Victoria Theatre pantomime as the amusing character, French Frank.
A well-known actor will be joining the cast. Sam Willison is returning to the theatre to play the Prince/Beast once more, a role he last performed there six years prior.
Andrew's a well-regarded actor, writer and director, boasting a successful career both in theatre and film.
He's portrayed Phileas Fogg in "Around the World in 80 Days" on Broadway, and has also travelled the country in various stage shows.
Andrew, a true panto enthusiast as a writer, director, and performer, clinched an OFFIE Award in 2019 for the finest pantomime in London.
For a decade and a half, Andrew was the writer, director, and pantomime dame at the Greenwich Theatre.
He bagged the Great British Panto Award for Best Ugly Sister a couple of years back.
He's penned five pantos for various theatres nationwide this year.
Yorkshireman Andrew, who had the audience rolling in the aisles last year, said: “I’m so excited to be back doing panto on my home turf once again.
Last year was an absolute hoot working with the brilliant crew at the Victoria Theatre, and I'm chuffed to bits to be bringing all the giggles and silliness to the timeless classic, 'Beauty and the Beast'.
It's Matthew's debut performance in a pantomime, and he's doing it with Imagine Theatre.
He exclaimed: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be appearing at the gorgeous, venerable Victoria Theatre this Christmas season."
Stepping onto the stage in front of the Halifax panto audience for the first time is a huge deal for me. I'm absolutely buzzing to share some laughs and have a brilliant time with you all over the festive period.
Following his previous stint in the Victoria Theatre pantomime, Sam Willison has been globe-trotting, entertaining audiences on cruise ships. His most recent role was as Adam Maitland in *Beetlejuice the Musical*.
He expressed his excitement about returning to the Victoria Theatre Halifax this year, explaining that it holds a special place in his heart as the venue where he first performed in a pantomime.
" The Halifax audiences are amazing and I can’t wait spend my Christmas there again this year.”
Beauty and the Beast will once again be produced by Imagine Theatre, which has been bringing panto magic to Halifax for more than 10 years with productions including Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and Cinderella.
When an arrogant prince is cursed to live as a beast, his only hope of salvation is to find love before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. Can village girl Belle see beyond appearances and learn to love a beast?
Expect a festive feast packed with dazzling costumes, toe-tapping tunes, side-splitting comedy, and all the classic panto fun we all love. Make memories this festive season with this fun-filled Christmas cracker.
Beauty and the Beast runs at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, from Friday December 12 to Sunday January 4.
Tickets: 01422 351158 and victoriatheatre.co.uk
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