A FORMER EastEnder is swapping metal detecting for a ball this Christmas. And no, that’s not as daft as it seems.
Lucy Benjamin will be making her debut at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford as they prepare for their festive show, Cinderella.
She will be playing the wicked stepmother in the rags to riches story of true love and finding a slipper that fits.
“I’m really looking forward to being in Guildford this Christmas at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, performing in one of my favourite pantos, Cinderella,” she says.
“I’m especially looking forward to playing the Wicked Stepmother … because there’s nothing more fun than playing the baddie, if you ask me.”
While it might be her first time in Guildford, for one of the cast it will be their 18th Christmas on stage: radio star Peter Gordon will once again don the frocks, this time as an ugly stepsister.
Cinderella will be Clair Gleave, Stanton Wright will be Prince Charming, and CBeebies star James Merry returns for a third year, this time as Buttons.
Peter is looking forward to his festive stint.
“As always, I’m hugely excited to be back at the Yvonne Arnaud,” he says. “Cinderella is so many people’s favourite and I love the role of Ugly Sister as it’s a fun, mischievous part – and who doesn’t like a good ‘boo’?
“It’ll be an honour and a privilege – as always – to be back on stage with a great team in my hometown for so many years, Guildford.”
The show will be made, rehearsed and created by an in-house team, and its recent show, Dick Whittington won an award for the best ensemble in the UK Pantomime Awards.
The show’s director will be the theatre’s chief executive, Joanna Read, who says: “I’m really excited about the cast we have been able to attract this year, namely EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin and old favourites Peter Gordon and James Merry as well as up-and-coming talents.
“Cinderella is one of my favourite pantos and we’ve got a great team on board.”
Cinderella, will be performed from Saturday, Dec 2, to Sunday, January 7.
For more information and to book tickets, visit: Yvonne-Arnaud.co.uk, or call the Box Office on 01483 440000 from 10am to 5pm Mondays to Saturdays.
