12/09/2008
Press Release
GARETH GATES, JOANNA PAGE
AND ALISTAIR McGOWAN
TO STAR IN
NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE’S
FANTASTIC FORTHCOMING PANTOMIME
CINDERELLA
The Home of London Pantomime
5 December 2008 to 18 January 2009
Multi-platinum, award-winning, pop sensation Gareth Gates is set to star as the handsome Prince
Charming this Christmas in New Wimbledon Theatre’s spectacular family pantomime, Cinderella
alongside British television favourites Joanna Page and Alistair McGowan.
Best known for Pop Idol, Gareth went on to achieve four number one hit singles having been signed to
record label Sony BMG. With hits such as ‘Unchained Melody’, ‘Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake)’, ‘Spirit
in the Sky’ and his infamous cover of the Elvis classic ‘Suspicious Minds’, Gareth has earned his place
in pop history as the youngest male to ever enter the UK singles chart.
Seen in the last series of ITV1’s Dancing on Ice, Gareth wowed both judges and television viewers
alike with his abilities on skates and he also participated in Soccer Aid 2008 in order to raise money for
Unicef alongside Ant and Dec and a host of UK sporting and entertainment stars.
Our heroine is the delightfully beautiful and hilarious Joanna Page, best known for her portrayal as
Stacey Shipman in the BAFTA award-winning BBC comedy ‘Gavin and Stacey’. Having trained at
RADA she has appeared in ‘Love Actually’, Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Gideon’s Daughter’, ‘Miss Julie’
and ‘Love Soup’. Joanna joins the cast of Cinderella direct from appearing in Neil LaBute’s acclaimed
production of ‘Fat Pig’ at the Trafalgar Studios.
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Britain’s best-loved impressionist, comedian and actor Alistair McGowan will be joining Gareth and
Joanna as Baron Hardup. Renowned for his accurate impressions of David Beckham, Sven-Göran
Erikkson, Tony Blair and even Eastenders’ Dot Cotton in his TV series ‘The Big Impression’, Alistair is
guaranteed to bring his skills of mimicry and comedy to the stage.
Making the transition into dramatic acting, Alistair has appeared in the BBC’s adaptation of ‘Bleak
House’ as well as appearing on stage in various high-profile productions. Lauded for his performance
in the RSC’s version of ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ opposite Dame Judi Dench, he has gone on to
win rave reviews in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘Cabaret’ (West End) and is currently playing opposite
Connie Fisher in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of ‘They’re Playing Our Song’.
American ventriloquist and stand-up comedian Ronn Lucas will be flying in from Las Vegas to join the
cast as Buttons. Internationally recognized as an expert in ventriloquism, Ronn has entertained fans
worldwide for many years with his ingenious and original talent and his dragon puppet, Scorch. He has
made appearances on American television shows including ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’,
‘The Tonight Show’ and ‘Nip-Tuck’ as well as his own comedy special ‘Who’s In Charge Here’ for the
Disney Channel. Ronn has also appeared in front of the Queen at the London Palladium, as well as
having UK success with ‘The Ronn Lucas Show’.
Dandini will be played by ‘Holby Blue’ star James Thornton, who has appeared in hit UK television
shows ‘Red Cap’, ‘Dalziel and Pascoe’, and the BBC’s adaptation of ‘David Copperfield’ alongside
Joanna Page. They married in December 2003.
New Wimbledon Theatre Executive General Manager Maralyn Sarrington said: “With Gareth Gates,
Joanna Page and Alistair McGowan as our all star line-up we are delighted and confident that once
again we will be the home of London Pantomime for Christmas 2008. Truly a quality cast offering
something for all generations that enjoy this seasonal treat – we can’t wait!”
New Wimbledon Theatre is also delighted to announce that this year’s star-studded production of
Cinderella will be supporting the Theatres for Theatres Appeal in aid of Great Ormond Street
Hospital, an exciting three-year initiative to raise £4million to help fund two new state-of-the-art
operating theatres, which will be used to treat children with complex and often life-threatening
neurological and craniofacial conditions.
This dazzling family pantomime will melt your heart as the beautiful Cinderella meets her Prince
Charming, thanks to her Fairy Godmother and a little bit of magic. With sparkling costumes, magical
sets and hilarious comedy, New Wimbledon Theatre will be the ultimate venue for Christmas sparkle
this winter.
-ENDS-
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12/09/2008
Notes to Editors:
• Images of Gareth Gates, Joanna Page and Alistair McGowan are available on request
• Press Night for Cinderella is Thursday 11 December at 7.00pm. Please contact Mark Jones
(details below) for further information
• Cinderella is being produced by First Family Entertainment, who have produced New
Wimbledon Theatre’s pantomimes for the previous four years (www.ffe-uk.com).
• Pantomime audiences at New Wimbledon Theatre have grown by 120% since The Ambassador
Theatre Group Ltd took over the venue in 2004 and are delighted to continue their tradition of
featuring high-quality stars, which have included: Henry Winkler as Captain Hook (Peter Pan,
2006/7), Ross Kemp and Bobby Davro (Snow White, 2007/8); and John Barrowman, Susan
Hampshire and Richard Wilson (Cinderella, 2005/6).
• New Wimbledon Theatre is operated by Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd, currently the largest
theatre group in the West End and second largest in the UK regions. More information can be
found at www.theambassadors.com.
• Information regarding Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Theatres for Theatres appeal can be
found at www.gosh.org/theatres-for-theatres. Theatre’s for Theatre’s is founded by Heather
Beckwith and chaired by The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd Chief Executive Rosemary
Squire, OBE.
LISTINGS
Performances: 5th December 2008 to 18th January 2009
Tickets: £15 - £27
Box Office: 0870 060 6646 (bkg fee)
Groups & Schools Hotline: 0870060 2516
Access Hotline: 0871 297 5477
Online Booking: www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk (bkg fee)
For further information, please contact:
Mark Jones
Press Officer
New Wimbledon Theatre
0208 545 7919
markjones@theambassadors.com
www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk
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