IT COULD be a fairy tale ending for a panto princess after being shortlisted for a top award.
Katsie Fong Frydenberg made her debut at The Hexagon last Christmas in Jack and the Beanstalk, wowing audiences with her amazing voice and penchant for comedy.
And she also impressed judges for the UK Pantomime Association awards – she has been shortlisted for Best Early Career Newcomer.
Also shortlisted are Mike Thacker for Best Sound Design and Miles Russell for Best Contribution to Music.
Founded in 2021, the UK Pantomime Association is a charity that explores, shares and celebrates pantomime by investigating the genre’s rich past, engaging with contemporary practice and inspiring the future.
The Pantomime Awards 2023 are held in association with Butlin’s, and will be hosted by dame extraordinaire Christopher Biggins. The ceremony will be held at the Trafalgar Theatre, in London’s West End, on Tuesday, April 11.
Sarah Boden, business and marketing director for Imagine Theatre, which makes the show for Reading Arts, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated for an incredible 12 awards from The Pantomime Association for our panto season across the UK last year.
“We would like to offer a huge congratulations and a great big thank you to the nominees and the whole team at The Hexagon who worked so hard to bring a whole lot of panto magic to the stage last Christmas.”
The news has also been welcomed by Reading Borough Council’s lead member for leisure and culture, Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward.
“Imagine Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk was an absolute joy,” she said. “Every Christmas, audiences from across Reading and beyond are amazed by the dedication, creativity and sheer fun that the Imagine Theatre team bring to The Hexagon so this recognition for Mike, Miles and Katsie by the UK Pantomime Association is very well deserved.
“Congratulations on the nominations – Reading will be rooting for you.”
This year’s Hexagon pantomime will be Sleeping Beauty and will see CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher once again team up with dame Paul Morse. Tickets are already on sale. For more details, log on to: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
