Manchester is one of those great cities that offers a spectrum of opportunities to indulge in festive frolics and a good old pantomime may well be one of the best ways to part-take, not just for the youngsters among us but for all ages. Theatre is, after all, a universal language that enhances expression as a performer and viewer.
With so many theatres across the Greater Manchester county, let alone the North West, we couldn’t let the biggest pantomime of the city pass without a mention, or glisten in the spotlight, so here goes…
One of ATG’s North-western gems - Manchester’s Opera House - pays host to perhaps the most iconic of pantomime stories, following the fairytale of young Cinderella in from December 4th and this show looks to be the most magical (and probably coolest) pantomime of all.
With professional sets and sounds from the band, the team at First Family Entertainments (FFE) are pulling out all of the stops to make this year’s presentation even more spectacular than ever as national Ice-dancing icons Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean make their pantomime debut as the Fairy Godparents. Britain’s much beloved sporting heroes bring their unique talents to the Mancunian theatre for the first time ever and will be wowing audiences with their amazing routines.
West End wonder and Wicked star (Fiyero) Liam Doyle will be shining with charm and charisma as Prince Charming with his loyal sidekick, funny-man and FFE favourite Samuel Holmes. Stand-up comedian and actor Andre Vincent will play the smitten Buttons with the beautiful Eloise Davies in the title role alongside the best boo-able ‘Uglies’ in pantoland Tim Hudson and Dave Lynn as her nasty stepsisters. The classic rags to riches tale Cinderella will be transformed into a breath-taking family extravaganza with glittering sets, gorgeous costumes, big song and dance numbers, real Shetland ponies and jaw-dropping skating sequences.
Along with lots of sparkle, the skating duo, who famously won Olympic gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics with their flawless performance to Bolero, will swap their ice-skates for hi-tech rollerblades to perform on stage and there will be lots of daredevil aerial stunts too.
Interviews from the cast press launch can be heard at: podsnack.com/AB5DC797C6F/a1kf4pnp
Cinderella will play at the Opera House from 4th December to 3rd January 2016 and tickets are on sale now from atgtickets.com/manchester or 0844 8713018
Previewed by Christopher Oatway
