Star of BAFTA-winning Tracy Beaker and former Strictly finalist Dani Harmer will play Fairy Godmother in the Theatre Royal‘s Christmas pantomime Cinderella, alongside Bath favourite Jon Monie as Buttons. The production will run at the Theatre Royal from Thursday 16 December to Sunday 9 January.
With a brand new joke-filled script penned by Bath’s own all round pantomime legend Jon Monie, Cinderella promises a feast of family fun and festive frivolity. In the best-loved pantomime of them all, Cinderella is treated as a servant by her wicked (not to mention ugly) stepsisters. She needs all the magic her Fairy Godmother can conjure, along with help from her best friend, Buttons, if she is to meet her Prince Charming, and find true love before the clock strikes midnight. Featuring an enchanting story, side-splitting comedy, lavish settings and adorable miniature ponies, Cinderella is the perfect Christmas treat to entertain all ages.
Dani Harmer is known to millions of children for her television role as Tracy Beaker, and recently starred in the 2021 CBBC series My Mum, Tracy Beaker, which received over 2.1 million streams on iPlayer on its opening weekend. Dani first starred in the title role in CBBC’s hugely successful series The Story of Tracy Beaker from 2002 to 2005, followed by Tracy Beaker Returns from 2010 to 2012, based on the novels by Jacqueline Wilson. In 2010, the series won the Children’s BAFTA for Best Drama and Dani received a BAFTA nomination for her performance.
In 2012 Dani performed in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, reaching the final with her dance partner Vincent Simone. She also took part in the 2013 Strictly Come Dancing National Tour dancing with Pasha Kovalev. Dani started her acting career on stage aged six, performing in the West End musical Tommy and the national tour of Annie. She has since starred in stage shows ranging from The Wizard of Oz and The Rocky Horror Show to Twelfth Night and numerous pantomimes. Dani makes a very welcome return to Bath this Christmas after previously starring in the title role in the Theatre Royal’s 2014 pantomime Cinderella.
Looking ahead to this year’s show, Dani Harmer said: “I am super excited to be back in Bath! It’s one of my favourite theatres and it’s such a gorgeous city. I can’t wait to be reunited with the wonderful Jon Monie and playing the Fairy Godmother for the first time.”
Much-loved comedian Jon Monie – author of this year’s pantomime script – returns by popular demand to play Buttons. In January 2019, Jon entered the record books when he made his 1,000th Bath pantomime performance during the run of Peter Pan, in which he played Smee. Now marking his 19th Christmas show at the Theatre Royal, Jon is also an award-winning comedian and experienced TV presenter having worked on many shows for ITV and BBC.
Last year he wrote Pantomonium! which was staged at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre for online audiences. Jon also wrote the Theatre Royal Bath’s last pantomime Beauty and the Beast, winning the accolade of Best Script at the Great British Pantomime Awards in 2019, as well as starring in the show as Louis La Plonk.
Jon Monie said, “I’m genuinely thrilled that Cinderella will be going to the ball in Bath this Christmas. I’ve found time to write a brand-new script, packed full of new jokes, new surprises and same old me. I can’t wait!”
Cinderella appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Thursday 16 December to Sunday 9 January. Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk