MIKE PANNELL - Wizard

Following last years Spillers Pantomimes success  ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in which Mike played the Dame, he is delighted to return to Bognor Regis to play the Wizard in ‘The Wonderful World of Oz’ this Christmas.

Pantomime has always been a great love of Mike‘s, who has appeared in many over the years including ‘Aladdin‘, ‘Cinderella‘, ‘Dick Whittington‘, ‘Babes in the Wood‘, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Sinbad the Sailor‘, with artistes such as Charlie Drake, Frank Ifield, Dickie Henderson, Don McClean, Jimmy Edwards, Freddie Starr and many more.

Mike recently appeared at the Alexandra Theatre in ’The Flanagan and Allen Story’ in which he played the part of Jimmy Gold, one half of Naughton & Gold, who appeared for many years at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London alongside Nervo & Knox and of course Bub & Ches.

When Mike finished fulltime education he attended stage school ,then went into theatre appearing in summer seasons, cabarets and pantomimes. During this period he did many television and film period dramas and also appeared as a ‘featured part’ in a television advert for a famous breakfast cereal.. Mike had the privilege of being directed by the late Ronnie Barker in an episode of ‘The Two Ronnies’ and recalls what a great professional and performer he was.

This year has also seen Mike as Mr.Chairman in ‘Old Tyme Music Hall’ shows, narrator for ‘The Harry Secombe Story’ and compere for ‘Turn Back Time….the Cher Story’, so life has been very varied for him.

Well the Wizard had better get back the Land of Oz (No not Australia!), to start getting on with the magical ’Biz’ of the pantomime and wishes you all a ’Wicked’ Christmas and ’Wonderful’ New Year.