Drag Superstar Courtney Act To Make Her Panto Debut In Bradford This Festive Season

Bradford Theatres and Crossroads Pantomimes have today announced that Drag Superstar Courtney Act will join the cast of the Alhambra Theatre’s pantomime, Pinocchio, as the Blue Faerie. Courtney joins Bradford pantomime legend Billy Pearce and Coronation Street star Chris Gascoyne, who the theatre confirmed earlier in the year.

Best known for her top 3 spot on Season 6 of the Emmy Award-winning RuPaul’s Drag Race, Courtney Act is no stranger to the stage. In 2003, Courtney made it to 13th place in the first season of Australian Idol and then signed with Sony/BMG. Courtney released her debut EP, Kaleidoscope, and toured internationally with her original show, The Girl from Oz, following her rise to fame after her appearance on Drag Race in 2014. In 2018, Courtney was crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brother UK, educating viewers on queer issues such as gender fluidity and sexuality.

After her successful world tour, Under the Covers, in 2019 Courtney made television history as the host of the UK’s first bisexual dating show, The Bi Life (E!). Courtney is a regular on the screen having hosted 2 seasons of the long form interview show One Plus One (ABC TV), her own variety TV special The Courtney Act Show (Channel 4 UK and 10 Peach), on-screen as a judge on Queen for The Night (ITV UK), launching Courtney’s Closet (Ch10 Aust), competed in Eurovision – Australia Decides and then danced her way into the hearts of the nation, finishing as runner-up on Dancing with the Stars and Dancing with the Stars: All Stars.

Pinocchio at the Alhambra Theatre will mark Courtney’s UK panto debut.

On the news of coming to Bradford this festive season, Courtney said: “I can't wait to bring some Aussie sparkle and magic to the role of the Blue Faerie this Christmas in Bradford! Who better to help Pinocchio become a real boy than me! I'm thrilled to wave my wand in the cherished UK panto tradition for the first time ever!”

Adam Renton General Manager Bradford Theatres commented: “It’s fantastic news to have secured the international performer Courtney Act to appear in this year’s Alhambra Theatre pantomime. She’ll make an excellent contribution to the show, performing alongside the previously announced Billy Pearce and Chris Gascoyne. There is huge affection for the Alhambra Theatre’s festive production and I’m sure that our audiences will thoroughly enjoy another outstanding panto in Bradford. We can’t wait to welcome Courtney to our city and to our venue, in its 110th anniversary year.”

Pinocchio is produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind the 2023 production of Cinderella, Crossroads Pantomimes.

Featuring stunning sets and costumes, fantastic special effects and laugh-out-loud comedy, the 2024 Alhambra Theatre panto is guaranteed to be everything Bradford audiences have come to expect from their annual festive production.

Pinocchio - Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Saturday 7 December 2024 – Sunday 19 January 2025

Relaxed Performances - Tuesday 7 January 2025 at 1pm & 6pm

Tickets: from £18.75 (inclusive of booking fees)

Call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk