Meet the star of Aladdin who will be flying to a whole new world this Christmas.
Sario Solomon will play the titular role of Aladdin in this year’s York Theatre Royal pantomime.
Sario was one of the winners of the BBC reality TV competition Let It Shine, which aimed to find five young men to star in the Take That jukebox musical The Band (now called Greatest Days).
He is currently starring as Sonny in the Grease UK tour, and has performed opposite Star Trek legend George Takei in Allegiance.
Aladdin is at York Theatre Royal from Tuesday 3 December 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025.
Sario joins the previously announced CBBC and CBeebies star Evie Pickerill as the Spirit of the Ring, Robin Simpson as the Dame, and Paul Hawkyard as the baddy Abanazar.
“I’m very excited to perform here,” Sario told YorkMix. “I’m very excited to see York because I’ve never been, and the buildings are really pretty.”
He has played the role of Aladdin before, in a pantomime in Telford in 2021. “I really enjoyed the role so that’s why I decided to come and do it again, but bring it to York this time.
“Being half-Japanese there are less roles out there for Asian people, and it’s great that I get the opportunity to perform an Asian person in a show being Asian as well – that’s a really good opportunity.
“What I love about pantomime is when I can see the audience’s faces and the kids are smiling. I know it sound cliche, but it’s nice bringing joy and happiness to families.
“When it’s around Christmas time on a three show day and you’re a bit tired, but then you go and see all the faces and it really makes it worthwhile.”
Aladdin is produced by Evolution Productions, with writer Paul Hendy and director Juliet Forster – the same creative team behind past York Theatre Royal pantomime hits Cinderella, All New Adventures of Peter Pan, and Jack and the Beanstalk.
Tickets for Aladdin are already on sale, and start from £15 via the York Theatre Royal website.