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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Nadia Breen

Grand Opera House announces Cinderella as its Christmas panto 2022

The Grand Opera House has launched its 2022 Christmas panto.

The home of pantomime in Northern Ireland is set to stage the much-loved classic Cinderella.

Over 35,000 tickets have already been sold for the biggest show of NI’s Christmas season. It opens on Saturday, December 3 2022 and runs until Sunday, January 15 2023.

Read more: New programmes worth staying in for dominate BBC NI's autumn line-up

Children and adults can expect comedy, boos and hisses with Belfast’s favourite Fairy Godmother May McFettridge.

A spokesperson added: "May is joined on stage by Paddy Jenkins, who was last seen on the Theatre’s stage in March in Give My Head Peace, as Baron Hardup.

"Returning to the Grand Opera House panto following their appearance in last year’s sell-out run of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Adam C Booth plays Buttons opposite Kia-Paris Walcott in the title role.

Adam C Booth as Joey The Clown and Kia Paris Walcott as Goldilocks (Brian Thompson Photography)

"Jo Donnelly, who played Mummy Bear last year, is joined by Jolene O’Hara as the vile Wicked Stepsisters, and Lisburn’s Gyasi Sheppy plays Dandini, who in 2021 landed his dream job as one of the presenters of CBeebies.

"Completing the line-up, Conor Headley, originally from Lurgan, a graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and a former participant of the Grand Opera House’s summer youth production, takes on the role of Prince Charming."

Ian Wilson, Chief Executive of the Grand Opera House: “Northern Ireland’s biggest Christmas show warrants a top-drawer cast and the best creative team to bring alive from page to stage the most magical pantomime of them all.

“Since the Theatre opened in 1895, generations of families have made the Grand Opera House pantomime part of their Christmas festivities, and with over 75,000 expected to attend during the six-week run, book your seats now otherwise not even your Fairy Godmother will be able to magic you a ticket!”

The Grand Opera House pantomime is staged by Olivier award-winning producer Michael Harrison on behalf of Crossroads, the biggest pantomime producer in the world.

May McFettridge as Dame May McFetty and Paddy Jenkins as Paddy McFetty (Brian Thompson Photography)

Cinderella is directed and choreographed by Jonny Bowles. Lighting design is by Ben Cracknell, whose recent designs include the West End production of The Drifters Girl.

Michael Harrison, producer of Cinderella, said: “We’re delighted today to be announcing such a fabulous cast for the Grand Opera House’s pantomime. We’re currently working on a script packed full of laughter for all the family and know that Crossroads’ pantomime in Belfast will be something very special for young and old alike.”

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