Chelmsford Theatre reveals casting for spectacular Snow White panto

Chelmsford Theatre has revealed the full cast for this year’s magical family pantomime, Snow White, which will run from Friday 29 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025.

Chelmsford Theatre in association with One From The Heart present a reinvention of the classic tale Snow White

This year’s production from Chelmsford Theatre in association with One From The Heart will reinvent Snow White for modern-day audiences, presenting the title character in a whole new light. The show will be directed and choreographed once again by Ryan-Lee Seagar, who also worked on the theatre’s smash-hit 2023 panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Also returning this year is Chelmsford’s favourite Dame, Neil Bromley, who as well as playing the role of Dame Dolly Diamond, has co-written this year’s panto script alongside old friend Tony Casement. This is Neil’s fifth appearance in a Chelmsford Theatre panto, with previous credits including Jack and the Beanstalk in 2023 and Beauty and the Beast in 2021. His recent work includes playing Norman Clint in the BBC’s Call The Midwife, and Stan Laurel in Philip Dart's critically acclaimed production of Laurel and Hardy.

One From The Heart Producer, Daryl Back, says audiences can expect another outstanding production this year:

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“This year’s panto promises to be funny, imaginative and bold. Snow White is a timeless classic that everybody knows, but our vision for Snow White in 2024 was to update the story for modern-day audiences whilst remaining true to the qualities of the original fairy tale. Neil and Tony have done a stellar job of bringing this vision to life through the script and I’m looking forward to seeing what audiences think of it later this month!”

Daryl Back, Producer, One From The Heart

A varied cast of experienced and fresh talent

This year, Chelmsford Theatre’s panto supports emerging actors building their careers, whilst also welcoming established musical theatre stars taking their first steps into the world of panto.

The title role of Snow White will be played by up-and-coming actor Sadie Levett, who graduated from the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and has since starred in the UK and Ireland tour of the Wizard of Oz and the Union Theatre’s Whistle Down The Wind.

Experienced West End and Broadway star Lori Haley Fox will be taking on the role of the Wicked Queen in her panto debut. Lori has appeared in major productions both back home in America as well as in the UK, including Mamma Mia on Broadway and Sister Act at the Dominion Theatre, but this will be her very first appearance in UK panto!

Sadie Levett takes on the title role of Snow White while Lori Haley Fox will play the Wicked Queen.

There’s also James Willoughby Moore (Mamma Mia) as the clueless Prince, while viral actor, comedian and improviser, Nerine Skinner, will be playing the sassy back-chatting Magic Mirror in her first panto appearance.

A familiar panto face, Adam Shorey, also returns this year for his third festive season with Chelmsford Theatre. Adam’s theatre credits include The Invisible Man and Singin’ In The Rain, and Chelmsford audiences may remember him as Smee in 2019’s Peter Pan and Silly Billy in last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk.

James Willoughby Moore joins this year's panto as The Prince, Nerine Skinner will play the Magic Mirror and Chelmsford Theatre regular Adam Shorey is Danny Diamond.

Young Panto Company returns with a lineup of energetic young performers

This year, the theatre once again supports young local performers through the Young Panto Company. Twelve talented children aged 12 to 14 have been cast as the Wicked Queen’s Naughty Minions in Snow White.

Co-run by Chelmsford Theatre and One From The Heart, the Young Panto Company scheme provides exciting opportunities for children to work alongside a professional cast and crew, and to get a taste of what it’s like to work in the theatre industry.

Theatre Director, Rhys Thomas, says Chelmsford Theatre is dedicated to nurturing natural, new talent:

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“At Chelmsford Theatre we believe in supporting young aspiring creatives, and our panto is a great opportunity each year for us to do this through the Young Panto Company, which provides a chance for children to experience being part of a local panto.

“Equally, with our principal cast we’re all about great raw talent, rather than those big, well-known names, and I’m really enthused about this year’s lineup for Snow White. We’ve got some interesting characters who you might recognise from previous shows and comedy skits, as well as new faces. The whole cast is eager to get cracking with rehearsals in just a couple of weeks, and we can’t wait to welcome them to the theatre team for the festive season.”

Rhys Thomas, Chelmsford Theatre Director

Book your tickets

Chelmsford Theatre’s fresh adaptation Snow White is the perfect festive treat running from Friday 29 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025.

When an all too honest Magic Mirror reveals to the Wicked Queen that she is no longer the fairest in the land, an adventure begins where the jealous queen seeks to do away with her competition, the kind and friendly Snow White. Fleeing to a new life deep into the forest, Snow White lives happily until one day she is tempted into eating a poisoned apple.

Tickets are available on the Chelmsford Theatre website. There’s also a BSL performance on 27 December, a BSL and relaxed performance on 2 January, and a captioned performance on 3 January.