BEN GOODRIDGE - Lion

Ben was born in Hastings, East Sussex on the 25th of June 1975.
From a very young age Ben showed an interest in the theatre joining a local dance and drama school at the age of only 3! (Although I’m sure his parents had something to do with this!)
In his early days on the stage he learnt his first lessons in pantomime playing such roles as “Tom the Cat” in Dick Whittington, “Boy Babe” in Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood and “The Baby Dragon” in Jack and the Beanstalk (an endearing performance so I’m told!). Since then Ben has kept himself busy including only last year, releasing a world cup song entitled “ We Can’t Smile Without Roo!“, a parody of Barry Manilow’s I Can’t Smile Without You, all about Wayne Rooney’s broken foot! (They even got the word “Metatarsal” in!), needless to say, it did about as well as the England Football Team!!
Leaving aside Ben’s dreams of World Cup glory he has been in numerous productions in Theatre, Film and Television all over the UK, most recently playing the rather “Bullish” character of Brian Turner in the number one UK Tour of “The Chart Tribute Show” by Edd Holloway Presents, Performing to sell out audiences countrywide from Arbroath to Truro!
This is the second time Ben has undertaken the role of The Lion in The Wizard of Oz, having performed last season up in Norfolk and he thinks that maybe they are trying to tell him something!!!
Ben also has a keen interest in Directing and only this year won M&M Theatrical Productions Annual Award for “Best Director” for his efforts with their production of Beauty and the Beast.
Other Roles include: The Captain in Dick Whittington [Extravaganza Productions, Stockport Plaza]; Muddles in Snow White [Extravaganza Productions, Stockport Plaza]; Sergeant A.S.H in The Kosmic Krew [Kosmic Productions U.K Tour]; For M & M Theatrical Productions: Robin Hood/Merlin in Robin Hood [UK Tour]; Gormless/Luminare in Beauty and the Beast [UK Tour]; Genie/Storyteller in Aladdin [UK Tour]; Fredericks/Buster in Cinderella [UK Tour]; Jester/Headless Harry in The Hunchback of Notre Dame [UK Tour]; Tweedle Dee/March Hare in Alice in Wonderland [UK T.I.E Tour]; Peter/Mr. Tumnus in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe [UK T.I.E Tour]. Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain [White Rock Theatre Hastings]; Bobby Child in Crazy for You [White Rock Theatre Hastings]; Giuseppe in The Gondoliers [DeLaWar Pavilion Bexhill]; Professor in South Pacific [DeLaWar Pavilion Bexhill]; Gary in A Slice of Saturday Night [West Hill Arts Centre]; Tom Jenkins in Scrooge The Musical [White Rock Theatre Hastings]; Gideon in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers [White Rock Theatre Hastings].
Television/Film credits:
That Peter Kay Thing [Open Mike Productions]; Another Life [Boxer Films]; Up Rising [Tiger Aspect/ITV]; Currant Bun [Hutchins Film Co.].
College Productions: