Two household names from the entertainment world are bringing Cinderella to Northampton this Christmas.Anita Dobson and Bernie Clifton are showbusiness legends.The cast gathered for the launch of the panto at Delapre Abbey and Dave Ikin took pictures.
Royal and Derngate press release:
Led by Anita Dobson and Bernie Clifton, panto cast members brought a touch of early Christmas magic to town as they officially launched Cinderella, this year’s spectacular Royal & Derngate family pantomime, with a photo call at Northampton’s Delapre Abbey.
The multi-award-winning stage, television and film actress and singer Anita Dobson takes the role of the Wicked Stepmother. Anita has been a household name for over 30 years, since she rose to fame as Angie Watts, the first landlady of the Queen Vic on EastEnders. In addition to her many television roles, Anita’s numerous stage credits include Mama Morton in Chicago and Madame Morrible in Wicked, both in the West End, and Joan Crawford in Bette and Joan, which toured to Northampton.
Starring alongside Anita as her financially-challenged husband Baron Hardup is comedian Bernie Clifton, star of pantomime, summer season, cabaret, radio and television for over 40 years. Making his name on shows TV shows such as The Comedians, The Good Old Days and Crackerjack, Bernie has appeared on stages up and down the country with his incomparable stand-up and music, not mention his trusty ostrich friend Oswald. In 2016 he was seen on The Voice wowing audiences with his rendition of The Impossible Dream.
Joining Anita and Bernie at the launch event were Charlotte Haines who plays Cinderella and Ugly Sisters, Tommy Wallace and David Dale. The cast posed for some stunning photos with a horse-drawn carriage outside the grand entrance of Delapre Abbey and also made use of the Victorian and Medieval interiors of the Abbey, which has recently re-opened after extensive restoration.
Cinderella is staged by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind last year’s popular production of Peter Pan at Royal & Derngate.
Executive Producer of Cinderella Jonathan Kiley said: “We are delighted that Anita will be playing the Wicked Stepmother for us this Christmas and that she will be joined by Bernie Clifton, Sid Sloane, Martyn James and the rest of our brilliant cast. With such a fantastic line-up in place Cinderella promises to be another unmissable Royal & Derngate pantomime full of laughs, music and magic.”
Packed with all of the traditional Northampton pantomime ingredients audiences have come to expect, Cinderella features stunning scenery, plenty of boos and hisses, incredible music and dancing ponies – all of which will ensure that audiences will have a ball!
Tickets – priced from £11* – can be booked by calling Box Office 01604 624811 or by visiting http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
