Joining Brenda Edwards in this festive family favourite are the hilarious duo John Kimmons, known for his ventriloquism and comedy, as Baron Hardup, and Steven Dalziel who takes on the role of Buttons.

Brenda Edwards rose to fame in 2005 as the last woman standing on ‘The X-Factor’. Since then she has conquered the world of musical theatre with acclaimed performances in ‘Chicago’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Carousel’ and ‘Hairspray’. Her recent spellbinding portrayal of the Killer Queen in ‘We Will Rock You’ at the London Coliseum received widespread acclaim, solidifying her status as a musical sensation.

John Kimmons embarked on his professional journey at the tender age of 15 as a children’s entertainer, eventually clinching the Children’s Entertainer World Championships at Blackpool Opera House in 2008. With an illustrious career as a comedy magician and ventriloquist, he has left audiences in stitches worldwide. John’s TV credits include ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’, ‘The Slammer’, ‘Dick and Dom’s Hoopla’, and the recent revival of ‘Crackerjack’!

Steven Dalziel, a versatile Scottish talent, currently takes the stage as the title character in ‘Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour’. His musical repertoire includes standout performances in ‘A Night at the Oscars’, ‘The MGM Story’, ‘News Revue’, ‘Grease’, ‘The Kissing Dance’, and ‘Seasons of Larson’.

Matt Powder, the General Manager at the Churchill Theatre, expressed his excitement, stating, “The Churchill Theatre is thrilled that the utterly magical ‘Cinderella’ will be taking over our stage this Christmas after our record-breaking panto last year! We’re looking forward to welcoming this hugely talented cast who are sure to put on a fabulous show, perfect for the whole family.”

‘Cinderella’, a production by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s largest pantomime producer and the driving force behind Churchill’s pantomimes since 2016, promises to whisk Bromley theatregoers on a magical journey this Yuletide. Audiences can expect to witness ‘Cinderella’s transformation from rags to riches, her clever triumph over her wicked stepsisters, and, with the assistance of her whimsical friend and a truly magical Fairy Godmother, her enchanting encounter with her Prince Charming.

Don’t miss your chance to experience ‘Cinderella’, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes. Secure your tickets to the Ball today and be part of this unforgettable Christmas extravaganza! Book now.

The post Cast members join Brenda Edwards for ‘Cinderella’ Pantomime at Churchill Theatre, Bromley appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

“Our Rock ’n’ Roll Pantos have been extremely popular since they were first introduced in 2011,” says Ian Sime, General Manager at City Varieties.

“They have grown year on year and have now become a Christmas tradition for families in Leeds and beyond. Red Riding Hood is a brand-new production from the enchanted pen of Peter Rowe and we are very excited to showcase it at The Varieties.”

A very different format to the traditional Christmas pantomime, Rock ’n’ Roll Pantomimes mix traditional elements of audience participation and corny gags with a jukebox full of classic rock anthems and chart-toppers — all performed live on stage by an ultra-talented cast of actor-musicians.

“There’s also a great feeling of nostalgia and tradition when watching a panto as well made as Cinderella within Leeds City Varieties — a truly beautiful theatre which is world-renowned for its music hall legacy.

Panto is about as close as we can hope to get to that Victorian staple today, and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto makes ingenious use of its jewel-like space to bring depth and scope to its fanciful, fairytale landscape.” – Entertainment Focus review of Cinderella the Rock ‘N’ Roll Pantomime (2018).

Red Riding Hood the Rock ‘N’ Roll Pantomime is at City Varieties Music Hall from Friday 29 November 2019 to Sunday 12 January 2020. Tickets are priced from £14. Book online at cityvarieties.co.uk or call Box Office on 0113 243 08 08.

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The brand’s latest offering, ‘Big Sleeve Edition’, will feature collectable packaging, the chosen movie on both DVD and Blu-ray formats plus a set of beautiful bespoke artworks.

A mix of classics and new releases, Disney’s Big Sleeve Edition will launch with six titles including Cinderella, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Beauty and the Beast, Guardians of the Galaxy, Aladdin and Finding Dory with further releases planned next year.

Walt Disney Studios continues to lead the way in collectables, as six of the nation’s best loved movies release on a new, never before seen format.

Launching in time for this Christmas, Disney’s unique Big Sleeve Editions can be pre-ordered online now and will hit shelves nationwide on the 28th of November.

Viewers will have the chance to see behind the scenes footage, deleted and alternative scenes and gain an insight into each story through jam packed audio commentary from directors and stars.

Ben Loades Head of Commercial Development at Disney comments; “We’re thrilled to be launching Big Sleeve Editions this Autumn. We think it’s a great way for collectors, film lovers and families to treasure the movies they love and bring both Disney’s beautiful artistic cinematography and children’s imaginations to life at home.”

Disney’s Big Sleeve collectables are available for pre-order online now, launching on shelves nationwide from the 28th of November.

Finding Dory

3 Disc: DVD, Blu-ray + Bonus Disc

Guardians of the Galaxy

2 Disc: DVD & Blu-ray

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

3 Disc: DVD, Blu-ray + Bonus Disc

Aladdin

2 Disc: DVD & Blu-ray

Beauty and the Beast

3 Disc: DVD & Blu-ray + Bonus Disc

Cinderella (Live Action)

2 Disc: DVD & Blu-ray

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Kenneth Branagh directs this live-action version of the timeless classic. The story might be familiar but Disney have nonetheless delivered a sumptuous-looking fairytale, sprinkled with plenty of their trademark magic.

Downton Abbey alumni Lily James is quite perfect as Cinderella and she easily handles the task of leading such a big picture. Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden makes for a dashing prince charming and both he and James convince as love-struck leads.

The magnetic Cate Blanchett steals her scenes as the wicked step-mother, with her character being humanised a lot more. This makes for a much more satisfying story to see unfold and gives depth to all the characters involved in the central plot. Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera are devilishly delightful as bickering step-sisters and there’s great support from the likes of Derek Jacobi (as the King who has a wonderfully warm dynamic with Richard Madden as his son), Stellan Skarsgård, Haley Atwell, Ben Chaplin and Helena Bonham Carter.

With more live-action versions of Disney’s library to come, Cinderella is a fine family treat that will keep everyone happy. With Branagh on-board he gives the movie a luscious, regal feel that perfectly complements the classic tale of good overcoming evil. With his keen eye, some great ensemble performances and that unmistakable sparkle that only Disney can bring, Cinderella is a great experience that will appeal to all.

The post Cinderella Blu-ray review appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Producer Lee Kelly is delighted to reveal that heart-throb Calum Best will star in his panto debut as Prince Charming, and is certain to get hearts racing across the region.

The son of football legend George Best, Calum has had huge success as an international model, fronting campaigns for top fashion brands, as well as finding fame as an actor, television personality and reality TV star.

Calum Best said: “I’m so excited to be making my panto debut in beautiful Liverpool; it is a great city and one of my favourite places to visit so I am delighted to be spending Christmas there. It will be a fantastic show which I am thrilled to be a part of and I can’t wait to experience all the magic that panto has to offer. See you all at the show!”

Returning to the Epstein Theatre for their 4th festive season, LHK’s Cinderella tells the much-loved story of a beautiful young girl kept captive by her wicked ugly step sisters. When Cinders is invited to a magnificent ball at the palace, her two fiendish ugly step-sisters forbid her to attend.

With a wave of a magic wand, her very own fairy godmother appears to save the day and she is transformed in to a dazzling princess. After a magical evening dancing endlessly with Prince Charming, midnight approaches and poor Cinders has to depart before the spell is broken.

With a single glass slipper left behind, will Prince Charming be able to find his princess? Will Cinders escape the clutches of her ugly step-sisters and live happily ever after?

With a live orchestra, real Shetland ponies, lavish sets and exquisite costumes, book your tickets now for the most enchanting Panto in all the land.

The full cast who will join Calum Best this Christmas will be announced in the coming months.

For tickets, call 0844 888 4411 or visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk.

The post Calum Best debuts in panto in Cinderella appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

In the clip Cinderella (Lily James) meets Prince Charming (Richard Madden) in the woods for the first time. Cinderella is the first live action retelling from Disney based on their 1950 animated feature.

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.

Cinderella will be released in the UK on 27th March 2015. Watch the clip below:

The post Get your first look at Cinderella with new clip appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

The collaboration sees designers Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, Rene Caovilla, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, Jerome Rousseau, and Stuart Weitzman reimagine Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper. Fans of the story will know that the glass slipper is accidentally left behind when the clock strikes midnight in the classic story.

“Cinderella’s glass slipper has become a magical symbol of transformation,” said David Lee, Footwear Director, Disney EMEA. “Each pair of shoes in this exciting global collection captures Cinderella’s elegance and grace through the lens of celebrated designers, making this shoe collection truly fit for a princess.”

Swarovski, which produced the iconic glass slipper under the direction of Academy-Award winning costume designer Sandy Powell for the movie, provided the crystals featured in the designer’s shoes.

“I think every girl desires a Cinderella moment in their lives. This story ignites a love affair and fascination with shoes that never dies. The power they have to transform is instilled from a young age and the fantasy remains alive forever. I wanted to create a shoe that felt magical, with alluring sparkle and a feminine, timeless silhouette evoking those childhood emotions,” says Sandra Choi, Creative Director, Jimmy Choo.

The shoes will be available for order in the following retail stores around the world, as well as in some of the designer brand’s own stores:

• London – Harrods
• United States – Saks Fifth Avenue (New York and Beverly Hills)
• Paris – Galeries Lafayette
• Milan – Excelsior Milano
• Moscow –Tsum
• Japan – Isetan
• Dubai – Level Shoe District, The Dubai Mall

All the shoes will be revealed together for the first time within the Cinderella Exhibit at the Berlin Film Festival on Friday, February 13th.

Cinderella, directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, and starring Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden and Helena Bonham Carter will be released in cinemas across the UK from 27th March 2015.

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The new posters feature Cate Blanchett as the Wicked Stepmother and Holliday Grainger & Sophie McShera as the Stepsisters, Helena Bonham Carter as The Fairy Godmother and Lily James as Ella and Richard Madden as The Prince.

Cinderella will be released on 27th March 2015 and is directed by Kenneth Branagh. The synopsis for the film is:

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and – armed with a pumpkin and a few mice – changes Cinderella’s life forever.

Check out the new character posters for Cinderella below:

The post 3 new character posters released for Cinderella appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

The new short will open in cinemas on 27th March 2015 and welcomes Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf back to the big screen. Frozen Fever is directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and produced by Peter Del Vecho and Aimee Scribner.

In Frozen Fever, it’s Anna’s birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa’s icy powers may put more than just the party at risk.

It will feature an all-new original song by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and marks the first project reuniting the Oscar-winning original team from Disney’s Frozen.

The post New Frozen short arrives in cinemas in March appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

The 67 second teaser trailer shows a close-up of a revolving glass slipper before the camera pans out and you can see the whole thing as a butterfly flies around it before eventually landing on it and becoming part of the slipper.

Cinderella is due for release in the UK on 3rd April 2015 and stars Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden, Stellan Skarsgård, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera, Derek Jacobi and Helena Bonham-Carter.

The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.

Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul.

It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham-Carter) steps forward and – armed with a pumpkin and a few mice – changes Cinderella’s life forever.

Watch the trailer and check out the poster below:

The post Cinderella teaser trailer and poster debut appeared first on Entertainment Focus.

Sleeping Beauty will mark the fourth year in a row that the Churchill Theatre has teamed up with UK Productions. The casting for the Panto is to be announced soon and the production promises to be another spectacular family treat.

Tickets are on sale now with a special Early Bird offer of £1 off all tickets booked and paid for by 1st May 2014. The production will run from Friday 28th November 2014 to Sunday 4th January 2015.

Over the festive season over 36,000 people saw Cinderella which starred former EastEnders actor Matt Lapinskas and Nickelodeon presenter Anna Williamson.

For more information and tickets go to www.atgtickets.com/bromley

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Cinderella lives a contented life until her father, Baron Hardup, becomes engaged and Cinderella acquires two step-sisters from hell – Daisy and Lily. A chance fleeting meeting with Cinderella in the forest leaves the handsome young eligible bachelor Prince Charming determined to find her. He contrives to throw a ball at the palace, inviting all the ladies in his kingdom, so that he can be reunited with Cinderella. One problem: there’s a limited supply of tickets (well, Prince Charming is handsome and, er, charming – you didn’t expect brains too?) giving ample opportunity for the Ugly Sisters to prevent Cinderella from attending the ball.

Within the framework of the traditional story of Cinderella, the panto bursts with other ideas from comic interludes to dance routines using contemporary pop songs (we discerned Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran; One Direction, Ylvis, Ant and Dec and Michael Buble – don’t worry if you don’t recognise some of the names – the kids will know them all!)

From an adult point of view, the best thing about Cinderella is the Ugly Sisters, magnificently played by David Ball and Byron Mondahl. They’re even funny visually – one tall and slim, the other short and squat. Together they’re an absolute scream from start to finish and carry on the glorious British theatrical tradition of panto gender-bending, dishing out plenty of sass in Cinderella’s direction, and offering bucketsful of smut and double-entendres which will sail over the heads of the kids.

Charged with whipping the kids up into a frenzy is Andrew Agnew as Buttons. Kids will know him from Balamory. He has his routine of coaxing the children to participate down to a fine art, and his geniality makes him perfect for the role. Jessica Martin is an excellent choice for the Fairy Godmother too – whose magic wand is appropriately also a mobile phone these days. A former Spitting Image voice artist, she throws in some excellent impersonations along the way, including Cilla Black and Sharon Osbourne.

As Cinderella and her Prince Charming is Nickelodeon presenter Anna Williamson and EastEnders’ and Dancing on Ice star Matt Lapinskas. They make for an ideal fairytale couple on stage, with Williamson capturing Cinderella’s innocence and optimism, and Lapinskas epitomising charm and impressing with excellent vocals for the songs.

Running to two and a half hours (including interval), Cinderella provides non-stop magic for children, and the licence it grants them to be silly and to bawl their lungs out to the traditional pantomime set-ups will do the parents’ work for them in keeping their little ones entertained and then ready for bed – at least for one day.

The show is tightly directed (Alison Pollard) though the pace occasionally dips usually to provide time for some impressive set changes and one or two scenes arguably go on too long (though younger kids adore repetition and milked jokes). You won’t find any kids complaining about any of the content though. Overall Cinderella is enormous fun and a skilfully put-together panto.

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