West End performer Shani Cantor will fly into Theatre Royal Bath as Fairy Bon Bon this Christmas, completing the cast of the theatre’s 2026 pantomime, Beauty and the Beast.
Shani joins Coronation Street star Marc Baylis, Bath panto favourites Jon Monie and Nick Wilton and West End leading lady Amelia Adams for the festive production, which runs from Thursday 10 December 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027. Her stage credits include My Fair Lady at Chichester Festival Theatre, Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican and Oklahoma! in the West End.
She also has plenty of pantomime experience, having appeared as Spirit of the Beans in Jack and the Beanstalk, Fairy Snowfall in Sleeping Beauty, Spirit of the Ring in Aladdin and Fairy Bow Bells in Dick Whittington.
Shani said, “I am thrilled to be in Bath this Christmas as Fairy Bon Bon. Beauty and the Beast is such a beautiful story! I can’t wait to sprinkle some sparkly magic and spread some panto-style festive cheer!”
She joins Marc Baylis as villain Hugo Pompidou, Jon Monie as Louis La Plonk and Nick Wilton as Polly La Plonk, alongside Amelia Adams as Belle.
Amelia’s West End and touring credits include Mrs Wormwood in the international tour of Matilda, Grace Farrell in Annie, Lois Lane in Kiss Me Kate and Mary Delgado in Jersey Boys.
She said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing Belle, my all-time favourite princess, this Christmas at Theatre Royal Bath. She’s such a wonderful character – kind, curious, brave and always ready to see the best in people.”
The new production has been written by Bath’s award-winning Jon Monie and promises comedy, musical numbers, choreography, spectacular sets and costumes and plenty of traditional audience participation.
Producer Martin Dodd of UK Productions said Shani would bring ‘magic and sparkle’ to the production. “Shani is a hugely talented performer with a lovely warmth and energy and is sure to be a real favourite with audiences of all ages,” he said.
Beauty and the Beast follows last year’s record-breaking Theatre Royal Bath pantomime season, which became the highest-selling panto in the theatre’s history.
Presented by UK Productions in association with Theatre Royal Bath, Beauty and the Beast runs from Thursday 10 December 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027. Tickets are available at theatreroyal.org.uk or from the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844.
