Soap Heartthrob and Pop Singer in Panto at the Pomegranate
Soap star and Dancing on Ice champion Sam Attwater and the lead singer of multi-platinum selling group Liberty X, Kelli Young, are set to star in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at the Pomegranate Theatre Chesterfield this Christmas.
Bringing a touch of swagger and cutting a dashing figure is actor and champion ice skater Sam Attwater in the role of the ultimate panto baddie, Captain Hook!
He has been a regular fixture on our screens since his first foray into soap land in 2009. After completing his professional training at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts Sam landed his first TV gig playing Ricky in the popular Chester based soap Hollyoaks. Following a stint on the hit show, Sam became a regular on Eastenders, stepping onto the infamous Albert Square as the effortlessly cool East End bad boy and ladies’ man Leon Small. A student, who often bunked off school in favour of the boxing ring, Leon quickly earned a reputation as one of the square’s biggest womanizers, becoming involved in some of the soap’s biggest storylines in the process!
From the dramas of the East End to Dancing on Ice, Sam took part in the sixth series of the smash-hit skating show. Over the ten week series Sam rung up top scores with the all-star judging panel and the viewing public alike, going on to spin, arabesque and butterfly jump his way into the final where he and his partner Brianne performed The Bolero in front of Jane Torvil and Christopher Dean and over nine million viewers at home! They were crowned the winners of the popular programme with this final passionate performance winning them the hearts –and votes! - of the public! Due to Sam's success on the show he was invited back for the final 'All Stars' series in 2014 where he was paired with professional dancer Vicky Ogden. Finishing in fourth place their professional partnership came to a close but a whirlwind romance followed with the dancing pair tying the knot later that same year.
Joining Sam in our swashbuckling tale is pop singer Kelli Young, who will be putting her powerhouse vocals to use as she joins an all-star cast production as the feisty, fun- loving Tiger Lily.
Originally from Derby, Kelli began treading the boards at a young age, appearing in Mother Goose, Jack & The Beanstalk and A Chorus Line all for Derby Playhouse. Like Sam, Kelli then went on to train at Italia Conti, aged just 16.
During her performance training Kelli continued her professional career appearing in the musical Poison at London’s Tricycle Theatre. She then moved on to TV and film appearing in Akka & Me for the National Film School as well as appearing as Aneela in the CBBC drama, Budz.
Aged 18, Kelli entered the TV talent show Popstars where she made it to the final 10 contestants, subsequently forming the pop group Liberty X. Co-writing their first top 5 hit “Thinking It Over”, she then went on to have a string of top 10 hits with the group, including the smash hit no.1 single, “Just A Little”. Liberty X enjoyed chart success in many countries across the globe, had a sell-out UK tour and won awards including a Smash Hits Award, a BRIT Award and an Ivor Novello Award.
Away from the group Kelli presented for MTV, VH1, ITV and the BBC, interviewing Britney Spears amongst many other stars on the popular SM:TV. She also made numerous solo TV appearances on shows including Celebrity Mastermind, The Weakest Link, Total Wipeout and Pointless.
In 2013, after taking a career break to have a family, Kelli re-joined Liberty X for ITV hit show The Big Reunion, enjoying two sell out UK tours as part of the line-up.
Pantomime Producer Paul Holman said: “With their combined acting, dancing and singing talents Sam and Kelli really are the perfect triple threat! Their showbiz experiences in television, in sell-out concerts and treading the boards give them the perfect flair to star in the swashbuckling favourite pantomime Peter Pan.”
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan opens on Saturday 2nd December 2017 and plays till Tuesday 2nd January 2018. Tickets are available now from the box office (01246 345222) and online (www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk).
