Christmas pantomime Cinderella launched at the Royal and Derngate

The theatre presents the timeless tale Cinderella starring actor, dancer, singer and television presenter John Patridge will be playing the leading role in the pantomime coming to Northampton over the Christmas period.

The show was launched at the Riverside Hub on Monday which saw John joined by Cbeebies Sid Sloane and Danny Posthill from Britain’s Got Talent.

As well as posing for photographs with some fans, they also had some fun at the play centre at the Riverside Hub.

John is best-known, however, for his role as Christian Clarke in EastEnders. The role won John legions of fans as did his appearance on other television projects, such as his role as judge on Over the Rainbow in search of a leading lady for The Wizard of Oz in the West End, and most recently Tumble, a gymnastics reality show on BBC One. He plays the role of Prince Charming.

John said: “I haven’t been to the Royal and Derngate before however I was here last week because my husband plays Corny Collins in Hairspray so I snuck in and made a little princely visit and to see what I was coming for over Christmas.

“I have to say the audiences for that show were fantastic so I am very much looking forward to having one of my lavish and extravagant balls here for the townsfolk of Northampton to come and enjoy.”

Having lit up television screens and children’s faces across the country for 11 years on CBeebies, presenter Sid Sloane has subsequently toured the UK with his one-man production Sid’s Show where his biggest (yet smallest) fans had the opportunity to meet their favourite star. Sid has also worked for the BBC on voice-overs and radio dramas and still regularly appears on CBeebies on the much-loved show Let’s Play. Sid will be playing Dandini.

Playing Buttons will be star impressionist Danny Posthill. Danny started his career at the age of 16 and has gone on to perform all over the world, working around the Mediterranean and South America, plus summer seasons, cabaret dates and on the comedy circuit. Most recently Danny took part in Britain’s Got Talent, wowing judges and voting audiences alike in the final.

Alison Jiear, who has also been on Britain’s Got Talent plays the Fairy Godmother.

Executive Producer of Cinderella Jonathan Kiley said: “We are delighted that John will be playing Prince Charming for us this Christmas and joined by Sid, Danny and Alison. 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, plus Pegasus the amazing flying horse - all of which will ensure that audiences will have a ball!

Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01604 624811 or by visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk