Chelmsford Theatre announces casting for 2026 pantomime Cinderella
Some of the cast of this year's Cinderella at Chelmsford Theatre. Image by Aaron Crowe.
Chelmsford Theatre has revealed the full cast and creative team for its 2026 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.
Produced in association with One From The Heart, this year’s production runs from Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Audiences can expect magic, mayhem, royal balls, fairy godmothers, major glow-ups and a touch of ugly as kind-hearted Cinderella dreams of escaping her rotten stepsisters and making it to the ball!
Familiar names presenting this year’s panto magic
This year’s pantomime is co-written by Neil Bromley –well-known to local audiences for starring in five previous Chelmsford pantos – and Tony Casement. It’s the third Chelmsford Theatre panto to be co-written by the close friends, following Snow White in 2024 and Aladdin in 2025.
Also returning to Chelmsford for another festive season is Abi Carter-Simpson, who will reprise the role of Fairy Godmother. A Guildford School of Acting graduate, Abi’s theatre credits include Aliens Love Underpants (UK tour), Finian’s Rainbow (Charing Cross Theatre), and previous Chelmsford pantomimes Snow White and Cinderella. Alongside acting, Abi is a stand-up comedian and recording artist who reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent with her original music. She recently supported Jason Manford on his A Manford All Seasons tour.
Abi Carter Simson (Fairy Godmother) and Kane Verrall (Dandini) are returning to Chelmsford's main stage this Christmas.
Another familiar face for Chelmsford Theatre audiences is Kane Verrall, who takes on the role of Dandini once again. The ArtsEd London graduate has appeared in several pantos in recent years, including Cinderella (Chelmsford Theatre and Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham) and Dick Whittington (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre). His other theatre credits include CATS (RCCL) and Dirty Dancing (UK Tour).
Fresh faces set to grace Chelmsford Theatre stage
This year's Cinderella and Buttons. Image by Aaron Crowe.
Joining Abi and Kane are some new faces coming to Chelmsford this festive season. Sophia Duncan will take on the title role of Cinderella in her debut panto performance and first leading role on stage. Her recent credits include Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody (Underbelly Boulevard) and Dark of the Moon (Charing Cross Theatre).
Also performing in his first ever panto is Daniel Meehan, who joins the cast as Cinderella’s loyal friend Buttons. Daniel trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and The Dance School of Scotland. His professional credits include Where Eagles Fly (Miller Theatre, Philadelphia) and The Snow Queen (Redbridge Drama Centre).
Sophia Duncan (Cinderella), Daniel Meehan (Buttons) and Samuel Levene (The Prince) are joining the cast for Cinderella.
Samuel Levene also joins the cast as the Prince. Trained at the Guildford School of Acting, his theatre credits include Sleeping Beauty (Brighton) and Rapunzel (Dubai).
Double trouble from Cinderella’s ugly sisters
The Ugly Sisters cackling together. Image by Aaron Crowe.
In a modern twist on panto tradition, Chelmsford Theatre’s ugly sisters will be played by female actors, with Beth Bradley and Jessie May stepping into the roles to bring plenty of panto mischief to the stage.
Playing Ugly Sister Chlorine is Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts graduate, Beth Bradley. Beth has performed around the world on cruise ships in recent years, including in Grease The Musical and Saturday Night Fever for Royal Caribbean Entertainment. Her other theatre credits include Something Rotten (English Theatre Frankfurt) and Cinderella (South Hill Park Arts Centre).
Jessie May will play our other Ugly Sister, Nicorette. Jessie is another Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts graduate, and her credits include Beetlejuice (Prince Edward Theatre and NCL), Priscilla Queen of The Desert (UK & International Tour) and MAMMA MIA! (Prince of Wales Theatre and International Tour).
Beth Bradley (Chlorine) and Jessie May (Nicorette) are this year's Ugly Sisters.
Ensemble and creative talent
Completing the cast is this year’s ensemble featuring Ruby Doe as Dance Captain, alongside Alice Forde, Cassie Money, Jack Yates, Corben Heward-Mills and Lawrie Banks.
On the creative team, Ryan-Lee Seager will return as Director and Choreographer, with Ben Kennedy as Musical Supervisor and Arranger. Plus, Julian Starr as Sound Designer, Jack Hathaway as Lighting Designer, Rowland Braché as Musical Director and Helena Foundoukis as Wardrobe Supervisor.
Chelmsford Theatre Director, Rhys Thomas, says this year’s panto team brings together a strong range of talent for Chelmsford Theatre audiences:
““I’m excited about the company we’ve pulled together for this year’s production of Cinderella. Our cast and crew are a wonderful mix of seasoned professionals and fresh talent that’s perfectly suited to our retelling of this timeless tale.
Rhys Thomas, Chelmsford Theatre Director
“From my perspective, it’s particularly special to have so many Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts graduates joining us this year, given Chelmsford Theatre’s own expanding partnership with the academy. These are some exceptionally talented actors, and I’m really pleased to be able to support their growing professional careers.”
Co-producer, Daryl Back from One From The Heart, looks forward to presenting another panto classic for Chelmsford audiences:
““I can’t wait to bring the story of Cinderella back to Chelmsford! Each year we work hard on a panto that’s witty, original, and uplifting for Chelmsford audiences and this year will be no different. We’ve got a feisty Cinderella, whose greatest wish is to have an adventure, a mandolin-playing Fairy Godmother to give us the magic, a fantastic cast, show-stopping sets and costumes, side-splitting comedy, and some amazing musical numbers. You won’t want to miss this one.”
Daryl Back, Co-producer, One From The Heart
Book your seats now to join Cinderella at the royal ball
Cinderella is at Chelmsford Theatre from Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Find performance times, accessibility information and book your seats at www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/events/cinderella-2026.
