VENUE Cymru may not be putting on their usual festive show this year but they have secured their panto hero, John Evans, for the next three years.

2021 will see the return of Pantomime Aladdin.

John will return for the 11th time to the Venue Cymru stage in the role of Wishee Washee.

John first appeared in the Llandudno pantomime in 2006 and performed every year until 2016 before performing at the Liverpool Empire Theatre for three years.

He should have been back in Llandudno in 2020 however, earlier this month Venue Cymru announced its temporary closure until Spring 2021.

The building is utilised as Ysbyty’r Enfys by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board (BCUHB). This meant the postponement of many shows, including the annual Pantomime.

A Venue Cymru spokesperson said: “Our patrons spoke and we listened, it was an overriding roar of ‘Bring back John Evans' and, with the help of Imagine Theatre Ltd we’re proud that John will be treading our boards for the next few Christmas'."

John has agreed to work with Venue Cymru and new co-producers Imagine Theatre Ltd on their Pantomime for the next three years.

The spokesperson added: "Imagine Theatre is one of the UK’s leading Pantomime Producers and we’re thrilled to have them on board, their ethos for panto matches the direction we want to take our shows.

"Along with a brand new script, amazing sets, costumes, comedy and great music we’re proud to be creating a show that we know will resonate with, and create memories for the entire family.”

John Evans said: "If I had Aladdin’s lamp, my first wish would definitely be to take a magic carpet ride straight to 2021.

"I have so many great memories of my 10 years in Llandudno, so when I was asked to come back for next years of production Aladdin I didn’t hesitate."

Steve Boden, managing director of Imagine Theatre, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to work alongside the team at Venue Cymru to produce their annual family pantomime.

"Discussions are already underway, and we are going to make sure that pantomime bounces back after Covid even bigger and better than it was before.

"It is really important to us that we create a show that is unique and bespoke to the Llandudno audiences which is suitable for the entire family.

"Working alongside the theatre team and the wonderfully funny John Evans, we just know that the 2021 production of Aladdin will be worth the wait.”

Bookings for Aladdin 2021 will reopen early this December

The show will run from Saturday, December 12 2021 – January 3 2022.