Cast revealed for Nottingham Playhouse’s Cinderella pantomime, with favourite dame John Elkington marking 25 years
This Christmas audiences will be going to the ball as the magical tale of Cinderella is told at Nottingham Playhouse.
The cast of the theatre’s legendary pantomime has now been announced, and with live music, dazzling dance, and comedy chaos galore, the show promises a spectacular festive treat for all the family.
Audiences will be booing the surly sisters, swooning at Prince Charming, marvelling at the Fairy Godmother, cheering on Cinderella and enjoying an added touch of fabulous glamour and glitz from favourite panto dame John Elkington, who will mark his 25th year since his first panto on the playhouse stage this year.
John plays Cinderella’s fragrant step-sister Rose, and joining him as sassy sibling Violet is Tom Hopcroft (Sister Act UK Tour, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery UK Tour), while energetic Danny Hendrix returns as Buttons, having entertained crowds as Silly Billy in the 2022 pantomime Dick Whittington.
The star of the show, Cinderella, will be played by Jewelle Hutchinson as she makes her professional debut having just graduated from Mountview Theatre School.
Liam Marcellino (Sound of Music, Chichester Festival Theatre) plays the dashing Prince Charming, with Nottingham-born Georgia-Mae Price (Dick Whittington, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre) as Dandini, and Alice Redmond (Tracey Beaker Gets Real, Nottingham Playhouse) takes on both Fairy Godmother and Her Ladyship.
Adam Penford, Nottingham Playhouse artistic director and the pantomime writer and director, said: "What a sublime cast and the best dame in the land in John Elkington. I'm delighted that for two of the performers this is their first job out of drama school, and that five of the performers are from our region, celebrating the wealth of talent on our doorstep.
“Cinderella is everyone's favourite pantomime with a dramatic story, magical transformation, romance and hilarious baddies."
Fourteen Nottinghamshire youngsters appear as the Youth Chorus, playing circus folk, woodland creatures, footmen, and puppeteers, amongst other roles.
The tasty Team Pumpkin are Isla Farrell, Ruby Hardy, Nathan Hayward, Effie Lennon, Amiya Maxwell, Henry Pavier and Olivia Richardson, and the sparkling Team Slipper are Isla Granville, Max Huson, Matilda Lamb, Logan Miles, Ayanna Mzungu, Sahasra Peddi and Josie Samuels.
The pantomime will run from Friday, December 1, to Saturday, January 13.
Long-standing musical director John Morton is at the helm, while set and costume design is set to be brought to sparkling life by Cleo Pettitt and pantomime veteran Rosanna Bates this year takes on the role of choreographer.
There is lighting design by Tim Mitchell, sound design by Adam Fisher, video design by Raphael Achache and casting by Natalie Gallacher CDG and Richard Johnston for Pippa Ailion Casting.
