Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is set to bring pantomime magic to Worthing Theatres this Christmas, starring the one and only Chesney Hawkes. After breaking pantomime box office records for the last two years, Worthing Theatres are collaborating with Paul Holman Associates again this Christmas to bring Snow White to the Pavilion Theatre from December 1st to January 1st.
This year’s cast includes the one and only pop star Chesney Hawkes, who plays the charming Prince Benedict. The hit maker was catapulted to fame in 1991, when aged 19 he played the lead in the film Buddy’s Song. Following the film, The One and Only was released from the soundtrack and became top of the charts in the UK. With five weeks spent at number one, the hit track became the twentieth most successful release of the 90s.
Niki Evans, who shot to fame as a finalist in the fourth series of The X Factor will star as the Wicked Queen. Niki toured the UK as a vocalist and starred as Mrs Johnstone at the West End in the award-winning Blood Brothers, followed by a nationwide tour. Other West-End credits include starring as Paulette in Legally Blonde.
Instantly recognisable as the hopeless and lovable double-act Cook and Line, from the BAFTA nominated CBeebies Swashbuckle, Joseph Elliott and Richard David-Caine will be charged with picking up the comedy batons as Muddles and the Wicked Queen’s bumbling henchman Herman.
Snow White will be performed by West End actress Cassie Compton, whose starring roles include the lead in American Psycho opposite Matt Smith at the Almeida, Eponine in Les Miserables, Nessarose in Wicked and lead singer Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing. Cassie first appeared on screen in 2004 as a finalist on the first ever series of ITV’s The X Factor.
Simon Howe makes a return to Worthing as Dame Dolly, after playing Dame Able Mable in last year’s production of The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, and the Woodland Fairy will be played by Louise Cannon. Comedian Jo Brand will also be making a special video appearance as the Magic Mirror.
The seven dwarfs and juvenile dancers will all be played by local boys and girls who were successful chosen from open auditions. Worthing Theatres will be partnering again with Chestnut Tree House during the pantomime to help raise funds and awareness for the local children’s hospice. They will also be teaming up with Northbrook Metropolitan College who will be producing a sculpture of a giant apple to be displayed in the Pavilion Café Bar during the run.
Pantomime producer Paul Holman said: “I am delighted to have secured such a top showman as Chesney to play our dashing prince. He has firmly established himself as a brilliant performer with top vocals, dancing and stage presence among his many credits. Worthing has some of the liveliest audiences every Christmas and Chesney is the perfect performer to get everyone going. It will be a stellar production.”
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs appears at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing from Friday 1st December 2017 until Monday 1st January 2018 with performance times: 10:15am, 2pm, 6pm, 7pm. (2 per day except 3 on Christmas Eve). Tickets, priced from £12.50 to £24.50, are available from the Worthing Theatres box office on 01903 206 206 and online at www.worthingtheatres.co.uk.