Christopher Biggins to narrate audience-led pantomime on Union JACK Radio

3 December 2019, Oxford: National digital radio station Union JACK can today announce yet another innovative programming concept, with a special, on-air Christmas pantomime that will be narrated by actor and pantomime veteran Christopher Biggins, with Union JACK’s listeners featuring in the starring roles.

 

Union JACK and the Beanstalk will be broadcast on Union JACK Radio’s Breakfast Show, The Full English, on Friday 20 December, at 9am. Union JACK’s listeners will be invited to audition for the chance to play one of the different characters in the performance over the next few weeks. Auditions will take place during The Full English, which is broadcast daily on Union JACK Radio, Monday to Friday from 7am to 9am.

 

Union JACK Radio has been cementing its comedy credentials over the past year, adding a number of unique and entertaining programmes to the mix and working with both established and up-and-coming comedians to create a schedule that is quite unlike any other commercial radio station in the country.

 

Not only is Union JACK and the Beanstalk starring established comedian Biggins, who recently spoke out about his fear of pantomime stars pulling out as a result of political correctness, but it has also been written by up-and-coming comedian Chris Copestake. Chris performed in the Union JACK Radio-sponsored Circuit Breakers at Leicester Comedy Festival 2019, which sees performances from a selected number of new and emerging comedians; the continued relationship with Union JACK means that Chris will now see his witty pantomime brought to life on national radio. 

 

Speaking of the pantomime, Christopher Biggins said: “I’ve been asked to do many things, but never to narrate a pantomime on the radio and with a load of listeners playing the characters. It’s going to be like herding sheep – bravo Union JACK Radio!”

 

Giles Gear, Programme Manager for Union JACK Radio, said: “This exciting performance tops off an incredible year for us at Union JACK Radio, which saw us brilliantly become the fastest growing commercial radio station in the UK. We love to bring our listeners on the journey with us, so what better than providing an opportunity for them to perform in a Christmas panto, narrated by Christopher Biggins and broadcast to the nation?! Listeners need to get in touch quickly for their chance to get involved!”

 

Union JACK broke new ground when it launched in 2016 announcing a format that saw the audience select the music in its entirety, via an app boasting the most extensive playlist in UK radio. It has also been establishing a unique collective of entertaining programming features, boasting a range of established and up-and-coming talent. Current shows of note include Mark Dolan’s Asking for a Friend, a comedy panel show answering the questions you never dared ask; Geoff Lloyd’s Hometown Glory, which sees some of Britain’s best-loved comedians and famous faces take a virtual trip down memory lane with acclaimed broadcaster Geoff Lloyd; and Josh Berry’s Fake News, which sees hilarious impressionist Josh Berry provide his own take on the current news agenda.

 

Union JACK and the Beanstalk broadcasts on Union JACK Radio on Friday 20 December from 7am to 9am. Listen across the UK on digital radio, online at unionjack.co.uk and via the Union JACK app.

 

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