A MUCH-LOVED veteran of stage and screen has praised a North East law firm for its continued support of the pantomime at one of the region’s leading theatres.

Hi-de-Hi star Su Pollard, whose showbusiness career spans more than 50 years, is starring in Sleeping Beauty at Darlington Hippodrome between December 6 and 31.

The Darlington panto is being sponsored for the third consecutive year by BHP Law, one of the North East’s oldest legal firms.

And Su, who plays the wicked Carabosse, said: “Beautiful theatres like Darlington Hippodrome wouldn’t be able to put on the quality of shows they do without the support of the local community, and BHP Law’s generous sponsorship of the pantomime is a great example.

“It’s marvellous that a long-established local business sees the importance of helping bring theatre, culture and laughter to audiences.”

Su is best known for her role as chamber maid Peggy Ollerenshaw in the 1980s BBC sit-com Hi-de-Hi, about life in a holiday camp. She also appeared in sit-coms You Rang, M’Lord, and Oh, Doctor Beeching, and has appeared in more than 35 stage plays and musicals, plus 40 pantomimes.

She first appeared at Darlington Hippodrome 50 years ago in Godspell and has returned to star in Sleeping Beauty alongside musical theatre star Lee Mead, comic Josh Benson, Stephanie Costi as Princess Aurora, and Jamie Jones as the Dame.

As part of its sponsorship, BHP Law will be giving away a family ticket to a deserving local family.

(Image: Chris Barron)

The panto launch was attended by Jonathan Barker, Senior Associate in Court Protection and Mental Health; Rachel Alder,  Associate Solicitor in Dispute Resolution; Holly Frankland, Secretary in Residential Conveyancing; and Megan Austin, Solicitor Apprentice in Court Protection.

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BHP Law’s Operations Director, Kieran Dolaghan, said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Darlington Hippodrome pantomime for the third year running.

“Our aim is to be part of the local communities we serve, and sponsoring the pantomime is a fun way for us to show that commitment.

“Naturally, we’ve made the cast members sign a legally-binding document guaranteeing that they’ll be really silly and keep everyone chuckling!”