Following last year’s record-breaking pantomime run which saw over 50,000 festive theatregoers pass through its doors, Woking’s New Victoria Theatrehave announced that the legendary Paul Chuckle will be joining the cast and starring alongsideStrictly Come Dancing’sCraig Revel Horwood inthis year’s must-see Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes, Cinderella, from Friday 7 December.
Paul Chuckle will play Cinderella’s father, Baron Hardup, making his New Victoria Theatre debut. Best known as one half of the legendary Chuckle Brothers, Cinderellamarks Paul’s first pantomime following the sad passing of his brother and co-star Barry earlier this year. The much-loved duo were known to generations of children for their popular prime-time children’s television show Chucklevision, of which more than 290 episodes were made. The series proved to be so successful that in 2008 BAFTA presented Paul and Barry with an award for ‘services to British children’s television’.
Paul said: “I’d like to thank everybody for their amazingly kind outpouring of love and support following the loss of our dear friend and my amazing brother, Barry. Panto was a huge part of our lives for over 50 years and I know Barry would want and expect the show to go on so I’m very happy to be starring in Cinderella in Woking this Christmas alongside our good friend Craig Revel Horwood. The three of us had a fantastic time doing panto together last year and Craig and I are looking forward to going out there, getting started and doing this year’s panto in loving memory of Barry.”
During the mid-nineties Paul and Barry also recorded three series of their own TV game show and have toured the UK extensively, even releasing a charity single with Tinchy Stryder and performed in over 50 pantomimes at major venues across the UK every Christmas.
Cinderella will reunite him with Craig Revel Horwood having starred together in pantomime for producers Qdos Entertainmentin Southampton last year where they won rave reviews for their performance. Joining them as Buttons will be comedian, magician and actor Phil Butlerand West End star Sophie Isaacs as Cinderella, who is currently starring in the hit-musical Heathersat the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Starring alongside them will be Suzie Chard and Wendy Somerville as Cinderella’s very vicious sisters and Oliver Savile, star of the hit musical Wicked as Prince Charming.
This year’s unmissable family show will be packed with all of the ingredients New Victoria audiences have come to expect from Surrey’s biggest pantomime; lots of laughter, stunning costumes and sets, spectacular song and dance and quality entertainment for all ages, brought magically to life by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind the theatre’s annual pantomime.
Audiences shall go to the ball this Christmas as Cinderellatransforms from rags to riches, outwits her Wicked Stepmother and Sisters, and with the help of her hilarious friend Buttons and one very magical Fairy Godmother, wins the heart of the dashing Prince Charming.
With tickets selling fast, audiences shouldn’t wait any longer to book their tickets for Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes. The clock is ticking…book your tickets to the Ball today!
