Cookstown actor to perform at Lyric Theatre

Patrick Corey, stars as Hansel in the famous fairy-tale about two children who get lost in the woods and have to pit their wits against a witch who lives in a tempting gingerbread cottage.

The 28-year-old originally from Cookstown, but now lives in London, said he is delighted to be on stage in Northern Ireland. He said: “I’m very excited not just to be playing Hansel but to be performing at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.”

“It is a really fun show, more original than a pantomime I think. It is not what people will expect of the traditional Grimm Brothers’ story. There is a lot more to this production and it is very entertaining.”

Patrick trained in Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London after completing a degree in Drama at Queen’s University, Belfast and has appeared in numerous productions on stage in England.

His co-star at the Lyric playing Grettel is Ciara Louise Baxter, from Belfast, who also trained with Patrick at the same London theatre school.

Ciara is thrilled to be marking her professional debut in her hometown in Hansel + Grettel. They are joined by an all-singing, all-dancing sterling cast of Christopher Finn, Jane Milligan, Christina Nelson and Tommy Wallace.

Written and directed by Belfast composer Paul Boyd, Hansel + Grettel tells the story of two clever children, two desperate parents, and an ill-advised trip into the woods where the children meet a bird, a frog and a witch with a most unusual taste in home décor.

Suitable for children age six-plus, Harry Potter fans will be spellbound by the fantastic stage wizardry and eye-popping digital projections that bring this popular fairy-tale to life.

The show features the songs “A World Without Children” and “The Wish Song” as well as Hansel + Grettel’s ballad “Lost and Alone”, Fats the Frog’s “The Greens”, and the Witch’s hysterical show-stopper “Children’s Portions” – all rounded off with an exciting mega-mix finale!

Hansel + Grettel runs on the Danske Bank Stage from 8 December 2012 to 13 January 2013. Tickets are £17.50 for adults and £12 for children or buy a Family Ticket for less than £13 per person! £51.50 (1 adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children).

To book contact the Lyric box office on 028 9038 1081 or online at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk