ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL is known for its spectacular pantomimes - and the upcoming Christmas show is expected to be its biggest one yet.
Theatre Royal has gifted panto lovers this festive season with a performance of Cinderella with a brand new script.
The pantomime will showcase the timeless fairytale, however, the script will have a new spin on it that is promised to be "hilarious".
Cinderella will see a line up of talent, including Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jamie Leahey & Chuck.
St Helens’ favourite duo will take the stage as the specialty act and will perform with a cast full of well-known names, including BGT winner Jon Courtenay as Prince Charming, and Coronation Street diva Kimberly Hart-Simpson as Cinderella.
Discussing his role in the festive panto, 13-year-old Jamie, who has a background in performing in pantomimes, told the Star: "This is the first pantomime I’m playing a lead role as part of the cast, and it’s the first time I’ve done it with Chuck, which is going to have good parts and bad parts because I know he won’t learn his lines and he’ll play up, but I’m going to try and keep him in order.
"I’ve been watching pantomimes ever since I was five or six; my nanna and granddad have always taken me to the pantomime and I still go now, but now I'm in the main cast and playing a part where I’ve got my own little spot that I can play around with it a bit - we’re really looking forward to it.
"When I was in Britain’s Got Talent, the people of St Helens were always very supportive, so I hope they’re going to support me even more and come to the pantomime.
"I’m sure they’re going to love it; we got our scripts the other day and it’s hilarious."
Chuck, Jamie’s puppet sidekick, added: "I can’t wait, it’s going to be great and guess what – I’m in it."
READ > St Helens Theatre Royal has big plans for Jamie Leahey
Swapping cobbles with centre stage is Kimberly, who is known for her portrayal as Nicky Wheatley on Coronation Street.
The 35-year-old has had experience as the theatre’s seamstress, however, she is now moving onto the stage as the lead role.
Kimberly said: "I did panto years ago and then I did a virtual one when we went into the pandemic.
"In terms of this, it’s quite new to me. I’m delving into such a loved pantomime in St Helens, where there’s a big following for it, so it’s a bit nerve-racking.
"It’s really nice to be the first person to pilot a new show and I know that this time around, they’re going to have more magic and new costumes, so I think St Helens are going to love it.
"It’s completely different; everything you do in pantomimes are everything you shouldn’t do on TV. Everything’s animated in pantomimes, but on TV, animation doesn’t work, so it’s completely different formats."
The Christmas panto will have a completely new script with fresh costumes and songs for the audience to enjoy.
Chantelle Nolan, producer and director of Cinderella, said: "St Helens Theatre Royal pantos are so well known across the Liverpool City Region; we attract people from everywhere.
"Every year we try and top the one before. It’s full of glitter, sparkle, everything that everyone expects from a pantomime.
"The script is brand new and jam-packed full of local references and current topics - I can guarantee everyone’s going to absolutely love it."
Cinderella pantomime will run from December 3 – January 8, with tickets available at https://sthelenstheatreroyal.ticketsolve.com.
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