You shall go to the Ball - by Duncan Harley – with thanks to APA’s Rachel Campbell


Christmas in Aberdeen wouldn’t be quite the same without the panto and the cast of this year’s rags to riches offering – Cinderella – includes Rachel Flynn as Cinders with the doors opening on Saturday 30 November for a five-week run. 

The cast list also includes Call the Midwife star Laura Main as the Fairy Godmother, River City funny man Paul-James Corrigan as Buttons, Two Doors Down’s Joy McAvoy plus River City’s Sally Howitt as the really Wicked Stepsisters and Emmerdale’s Paul Leubke as Prince Charming.  Louie Spence plays Dandini and the Granite City's  very own Alan McHugh takes to the stage as ‘The Baroness’.

The show promises to reveal how Cinders manages to outwit her wicked stepsisters and with the help of her hilarious friend Buttons plus traditionally attired Fairy Godmother, win the heart of the dashing Prince Charming. As always, Cinderella will feature all of the ingredients of the perfect pantomime; a fabulous cast and orchestra, laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning set and spectacular special effects plus beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses and double-entendre for all the family to enjoy.

Louie Spence said: “I’m thrilled to be spending Christmas in Aberdeen and can’t wait to bring some panto magic to the HMT stage. Who knows, I might even get the dashing Prince to perfect his dancing at Cinderella’s ball by the end of the run!”

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment’s pantomime division said: “We are absolutely delighted to have assembled such a talented cast for this year’s HMT pantomime. Our Aberdeen show is always a jewel in the Scottish pantomime crown, and this year will be no exception.”

Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive, Jane Spiers, said: “We are so excited for this year’s spectacular pantomime, Cinderella. We have a dazzling array of talented and experienced stars ready to make this a very special festive season at HMT, with Louie Spence leading the charge with his outrageous energy and enthusiasm, the wonderful Laura Main on home turf as the Fairy Godmother, and of course our great friend Alan McHugh.”

Cinderella opens on Saturday 30 November and runs until Sunday 5 January.
Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office 


Location: Aberdeen, UK

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