Jessie Wallace, who will be making her pantomime debut playing the role of The Fairy Godmother in the White Rock Theatre’s pantomime, Cinderella this year, made an early visit to Hastings to take part in a press launch at the Bannatyne Spa Hotel.
Jessie was joined for photographs in the beautiful grounds of the hotel by fellow cast members Daisy Steere who will play Cinderella and Ben McMillan who will play Prince Charming.
Adding extra magic to the proceedings was the arrival of two stunning white Gelderlander horses pulling a spectacular Cinderella carriage, complete with coachmen, supplied by Drayhorse Shires, Kent.
For the past 15 years Jessie has become a national treasure thanks to her performance as Kat Slater in the popular BBC soap EastEnders, winning numerous awards and legions of fans. Jessie’s other television credits include ITV’s The Bill and Wild at Heart and her critically acclaimed leading role in Miss Marie Lloyd – Queen of the Music Hall for BBC Four. In 2008 she also took part in the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing.
No stranger to the stage, Jessie has appeared in the West End productions of Rent and Haunted as well as the 25th anniversary production of Stepping Out in the role of Sylvia. Most recently Jessie returned to the stage playing Lil in the Theatre Royal Stratford East’s musical production of Fings Ain’t Wot they Used T’be directed by Terry Johnson.
Executive producer of Cinderella, Daryl Back, said “We are delighted Jessie will be joining the cast of our spectacular pantomime Cinderella in Hastings. Jessie is such a popular face on television we’re thrilled she’ll be joining us in pantoland and giving audiences at the White Rock her take on The Fairy Godmother.”
The White Rock Theatre’s General Manager, Lorna Hollister, added “Each year we’ve seen the White Rock’s pantomime become more and more successful. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Jessie Wallace to the Theatre, and know that she will be very popular with the Hastings audience.”
Cinderella is produced by One From the Heart in association with HQ Theatres, the partnership behind the recent White Rock Theatre pantomime successes including Dick Whittington starring Sheila Read in 2013 and Aladdin starring Louie Spence in 2014.
Cinderella runs at the White Rock Theatre, Hastings, from Friday 11th December to Sunday 27th December 2015. For tickets and more information visit whiterocktheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 01424 462 288.