TV star John Barrowman to return to Glasgow for another panto appearance at SECC

Apr 7 2011 By Tristan Stewart-Robertson

John Barrowman

JOHN BARROWMAN is back - oh yes he is.

It's still months away but the TV and stage star is to return to Glasgow's SECC to deliver more panto delights for fans this Christmas.

Last year, he helped the SECC make its panto debut with Aladdin, which was hugely successful.

The 2011 show was to be Sleeping Beauty but the casting of John Barrowman and The Krankies forced a change.

Now John will play the title role in Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates with The Krankies as Captain Crusoe and Jimmy Crusoe.

The use of 3D special effects in the production of Aladdin was such a hit with audiences that the show's producers said they are now creating " more spectacular 3D" to feature in Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment's pantomime division and executive producer of Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates, said: "We are thrilled that John and The Krankies are returning to the SECC where they had such a fantastic run in Aladdin last Christmas.

"John's showmanship, the hilarious antics of The Krankies and groundbreaking 3D, means that audiences are in for another spectacular SECC pantomime."

Aladdin proved a huge hit through its 46 shows as part of the "panto wars" that erupted last year, with more than 600,000 theatre seats on sale across Scotland during the festive period.

But Barrowman did suffer an Aladdin curse last year when he took ill and had to be replaced by his 18-year-old cousin Greg. Two shows were then cancelled because of a burst water main.

Ben Goedegebuure, director of SECC sales, said: "Aladdin was the first major pantomime to be staged at the SECC and we were delighted with its success.

"The news that John Barrowman and the Krankies will once again be taking to the stage at the Clyde Auditorium is brilliant."

SECC bosses said fans who already had seats for Sleeping Beauty would not need to change their tickets, despite the change in name.

Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates runs at SECC Clyde Auditorium from Saturday, December 17, 2011 to Saturday, January 7, 2012.

Tickets, priced from £12, can be booked now on the telephone hotline 0844 395 4000 or online at www.ticketSOUP.com.