The White Rock Theatre has announced that X Factor finalist Honey G will be swapping her native Harrow for Hastings seafront this festive season, making her pantomime debut in Sleeping Beauty from Friday 15th December to Sunday 31st December 2017.
Honey G rose to fame after entering the 13th season of ITV1’s The X Factor dividing the judges with her unique rendition of Missy Elliott’s ‘Work It’. Honey sailed through the auditions and wowed audiences and the judging panel week after week with her unique take on urban hits. Mentored by Sharon Osbourne, Honey G finished fifth in the competition, appeared as a guest star at the live final and released her debut single, The Honey G Show, having received a record contract with SyCo Music, Simon Cowell’s record label.
Honey G went on to appear in arena’s across the UK on the live X Factor Tour, performing her debut single and recreating her best-loved performances from the television series. Honey will play the role of Fairy G, the ethereal spirit sent to help the beautiful Princess Aurora as she is placed under a curse by her wicked godmother Carabosse.
One From the Heart producer Daryl Back said: “I’m delighted that Honey G will be headlining our fabulous pantomime at the White Rock Theatre this Christmas. She’s such a unique talent, one of the most famous faces to come out of The X Factor and will undoubtedly bring a really modern angle to such a classic fairy tale pantomime packed full of laughter, music and magic.”
White Rock Theatre Director Lorna Strawson said: “Only months ago the whole country was talking about Honey G as millions of people watched her on TV every weekend, and I am extremely excited that she will perform in Sleeping Beauty. Pantomime appeals to all generations and is the very best kind of family entertainment – with plenty of fun and laughter, for this very reason I am convinced that this inimitable rapper will wow audiences in Hastings.”
Alongside Honey G, Ben Watson will be back for his sixth consecutive Hastings appearance in this year’s production of Sleeping Beauty. Having trained at both Central School of Speech and Drama and the National Youth Theatre, Ben has forged a successful stage career across musical theatre, plays, comedies, and, of course, pantomime, for which he is well-loved in East Sussex.
Joining him as his mother, Dame Maris Piper is West End and Radio star Tim McArthur who recently celebrated his 20th year in the entertainment industry. Tim has performed his solo one man show all over the world from Cape Town to Kuala Lumpur to New York. He has supported Graham Norton and Julian Clary, and toured the UK with Helen Lederer.
With rapping, magic, music, comedy and special effects, Sleeping Beauty will continue the White Rock’s tradition of providing first-rate family pantomime in East Sussex from Friday 15th until Sunday 31st December 2017. Tickets, from £21.00, with discounts available for families, concessions, groups and White Rock Friends are available to book online at www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk or by calling the box office on 01424 462288 (Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm)