Press Release

Kim Hartman to headline Redhill’s Christmas cracker of a pantomime

Allo Allo star set to play Wicked Queen - 03 April 2008

Mirror Mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all? That will be the question on everybodys’ lips this Christmas at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs bursts onto stage in spectacular style.

Producers Paul Holman Associates (PHA) have promised to bring another magical star-studded show to Redhill this year, following the success of last year’s critically acclaimed pantomime Cinderella.

Snow White is one of the most popular fairytales of all time and more recently has become a firm favourite pantomime title. The original story was translated into English by the Grimm Brothers in the 1820’s but it was the release of the Walt Disney cartoon in 1937 that made the story a classic. It was this version that gave us so many iconic images, such as Snow White’s dress and the phrase “Heigh Ho! Heigh Ho! it’s off to work we go!”.

This enchanting Christmas pantomime promises another spectacular all-star cast including top West End musical performers as well as some of your favourite TV personalities.

Full cast details to follow in due course, however, PHA are able to announce that headlining the show will be an actress who has barely been off our screens since the early eighties. Kim Hartman who played the Pvt Helga Geerhart the saucy Nazi secretary with a penchant to wear stockings and suspenders under her uniform. Kim will be swapping occupied France for pantoland this Christmas as she takes on the role of the Wicked Queen in what promises to be a real Christmas cracker of a show.

Allo Allo was a worldwide phenomenon and was regularly watched by over 18million viewers in the UK alone. The show was also a huge success abroad and was the jewel in the crown of the BBC, running for 8 series with a total of 96 episodes produced. It is one of the longest running sitcoms ever produced in the UK, making household names of many of the cast and giving us a long list of unforgettable catchphrases, including “Listen very carefully I shall say this only once!” and “Good Moaning!” said in a cod French accent.

Allo Allo is not the only long running BBC series that Kim has starred in. More recently, Kim has been seen playing Ms Rawlinson the Science Teacher in Grange Hill. So what with playing a teacher and a Nazi she is well placed to jeer at the audience to ensure that the boo’s and hisses are guaranteed.

Her early work included performances at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Harrogate, The Bristol Old Vic and the Redgrave Theatre, Farnham playing such parts as Rita in Billy Liar, Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing, Sorrel in Hayfever, Doonyasha in The Cherry Orchard, Alice Hobson in Hobson¹s Choice, Shaw¹s St Joan, Mary Yellen in Jamaica Inn and Alys in Abelard and Heloise. Kim recently toured the country in the number one theatre tour of the hit comedy Mums the Word starring alongside Bernie Nolan and Michelle Gayle.

Her pantomime appearances range from principal boy to evil witch (her favourite role!), so she is delighted to be playing Queen Helga for Paul Holman Associates again, having previously played the role at the Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare, alongside Bernie Clifton and, most recently, at the Palace Theatre Newark with ex-Eastenders star Andrew Lynford.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs opens at the Harlequin Theatre on Friday 12 December 2008 and runs until Sunday 4 January 2009. The box office is already open and taking bookings for the show and early indications show that Snow White and her seven little friends look set to take Redhill by storm.

So, don’t be disappointed this Christmas as booking early is recommended. Come and join us to boo and jeer at the Wicked Queen and cheer with joy as Snow White and her Prince live happily ever after.

For further information on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, please contact :

Suzanne David
Marketing Assistant 020 8845 9408
Paul Holman Associates suzanne@paulholmanassociates.co.uk