Southport Cinderella Cast Ready for a Ball This Christmas
/Southport Theatre and Convention Centre are delighted to announce their full cast for this year’s spectacular family pantomime Cinderella.
Joining former Brookside star Sam Kane as Buttons and Jason Marc-Williams and Alistair Barron as the Ugly Sisters are Toni Howard as Cinderella, Justine E Bailey as the Fairy Godmother / Wicked Stepmother, Joe Ashman as Prince Charming and Jack Kane as Dandini.
For Jack having Sam Kane and Linda Lusardi as parents means that panto is in his blood. “I’ve been very lucky as both my mum and my dad have done panto since I was born so I have seen almost every panto story going.”
“I have worked with my dad on a few pantos in the past, back when I was one of the juveniles, in the chorus and also playing one of the dwarfs in Snow White at Wolverhampton Grand. The pressure will be bigger now as I am playing a principal character, but I'm really looking forward to it. He's a fantastic director, and hopefully, being my dad, he'll be able to bring the best out in me. I often find I agree with his direction as we have very similar ideas about characters and how to play them.”
Justine has appeared in 11 pantomimes, the last six being in Oldham, mostly as Principal Boy and she is looking forward to playing two very different roles this festive season.
“I can’t wait to play two roles - you’re so lucky if you get to play both good and bad in a panto - as it’s a challenge to try and win the audience over as fairy but have them hate you in another costume! I can’t wait to get my hands on Cinderella’s dress!”
I really love panto. I love the fun and energy and I love the music, I love that it is still a form of entertainment that packs out a theatre. I love the different levels within a panto - that there is content for children and adults alike. Most of all I love the fact that no two shows are ever the same as audiences make such an important addition to each performance.”
“I don’t live that far from Southport so have visited many times and I love it, especially as the people are so welcoming.”
Joe Ashman has been performing since he was a child playing Jeremy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Kurt in The Sound of Music, both at The London Palladium. More recently he has appeared in Our House – The Madness Musical at the Union Theatre and Rent at the Birmingham Rep, played the title role of Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk and appeared in Casualty. A talented singer-songwriter and guitarist Joe has also performed in cabaret all over the world.
“Funnily enough the first panto I ever saw was starring Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane... and now they're my in-laws! I even met my girlfriend doing panto two years ago. Funny old world eh!? I'm really looking forward to working with Sam, Jack and Toni this year- they're ace people and it'll be so much fun to bring our real friendships into this show.”
“My favorite thing about panto is how two shows are never the same. You're always doing something to make this show even more fun than the last. Generally other actors find it very easy to make me laugh on stage!”
This will be Toni Howard’s professional pantomime debut and she cannot wait to play such an iconic fairy tale role.
“As a child I would watch the village pantomime yearly and then when I got to the age of nine I was able to take part for a couple years running. The only professional pantomimes I've seen are Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk and Aladdin. It’s definitely encouraged me to see more as I thought they were all fantastic! I now can't help but get excited for Southport's Cinderella!”
“Cinderella was one of my favourite fairytales growing up so to be able to play her as my first panto lead is amazing. I am excited to be part of a fantastic cast and to make Christmas special for so many children!”
Don’t miss out on Southport Theatre’s stunning production of Cinderella. The show runs from Friday 15 December 2017 until Saturday 6 January 2018.
