Cinderella, at the Lincoln Theatre Royal. Cannon and Ball starred as the Ugly Sisters.
Lincoln Theatre Royal are proud to present Cinderella.
Following last years record breaking and resoundingly critically successful season, the same team return to you with the most famous and magical of all pantomimes CINDERELLA. With stunning sets, beautiful costumes and many surprises, we wll take you to a magical fairytale world.
Our stars and Lincoln’s new favourite sons – CANNON AND BALL, return for their third season. TOMMY and BOBBY will, for the first time in their wonderful career, put on frocks and will have you rolling in the aisles as the ‘Ugly Sisters’.
Joining them from last year is MICHELLE HARDWICK who played LIZZIE HOPKIRK in ‘The Royal’ as CINDERELLA and again we will have our wonderful thigh slapping principal boy NICOLA WEEKS as PRINCE CHARMING.
Our regulars this year will be joined by JUDY BUXTON, who played Ruth in the comedy series On The Up, as Fairy Godmother and Lincoln’s very own Buttons – CRAIG HOLLINGSWORTH.
Book early for Lincoln’s Premier Pantomime – the magical CINDERELLA!
Cast
Mr Tommy Broker / Lady Mablethorpe – Tommy Cannon
Mr Bobby Broker / Lady Puddlethorpe – Bobby Ball
Cinderella – Michelle Hardwick
Prince Charming – Nicola Weeks
Baron Hardup – Richard Tate
Buttons – Craig Hollingsworth
Fairy Godmother – Helena Waite-Roberts
Dandini – Kate Powell
Villagers / Ball Guests / Dancers – Stacey Wilson, Scott Bishop,
Sonny Ward, Helen Robinson
Juveniles – The Janet Ashton School of Dance
Musicians
Musical Director and Keyboard – Toby Kennedy
Bass – Chris Hargreaves
Drums – Liam Waugh
Guitar – Joel Burgess
Trombone – Rosie Nicholl
Produced by – Ian Dickens
Directed by – Ian Dckens
Book by – Chris Moreno
Set Design by – Alan Miller-Bunford
Musical Director – Toby Kennedy
Choreographer – Victoria Cattell
Lighting Design by – Myk Hoyle
Sound Design by – Steve Chambers
Costumes by – Carol Webster
Company Stage Manager – Antony Law
ASM – Daniel Warbey
Dresser – Jane Kelly
Press and Marketing – Samantha Gough
Act One
Scene 1 – The Village of Much Pidling
Scene 2 – Ante Room at The Palace
Scene 3 – Outside Hardup Hall
Scene 4 – Outside the Forest
Scene 5 – Outside Hardup Hall
Scene 6 – The Kitchens of Hardup Hall
Scene 7 – Transformation
Act Two
Scene 1 – The Grand Ball
Scene 2 – Outside the Forest
Scene 3 – Deep in the Forest
Scene 4 – Outside the Forest
Scene 5 – The Sisters Boudoir
Scene 6 – On the Way to the Wedding
Scene 7 – The Royal Wedding
Photos
Programme
Cannon and Ball – The Ugly Sisters
Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball are one of Britain’s funniest and most successful double acts. In their long career they have achieved a string of honours that puts them among the all-time greats of show business.
On television they have starred in their own series practically every year since 1979. They have also ‘guested’ on all the major shows including Wogan; Parkinson; Des O’Connor; Sunday Night at the Palladium, and several Royal Variety Shows. They featured in a BBC Documentary Funny Business based on double acts, which also included footage of comedy legends Martin and Lewis, Laurel and Hardy, and Morecambe and Wise.
To add to their pedigree, they remain the only act to have won three separate National Club Awards and be named as the Variety Club Personalities of the Year. Their feature film The Boys in Blue in addition to its cinema success, went on to become a video best seller. The boys have also been the subject of This is Your life.
During the 1970’s they built a strong reputation around the UK cabaret club circuit for being a great live act. They also toured extensively in the hotel circuits of Australia and South Africa.
Tom and Bob have broken records in theatres all over the UK, including London. In 1981 they played a six-week season at the Dominion Theatre. Every seat was sold before the show opened, and in 1988 their pantomime Babes in the Wood broke all previous pantomime records at the world famous London Palladium, where Cannon and Ball created the record for the largest box office amount taken in one week in British theatre history.
Rock with Laughter ’96 fulfilled Tommy and Bobby’s ambition to star in their own Rock ‘n’ Roll spectacular, their first Summer Season for Producers QDOS.
After an extensive Autumn Tour and a trip to Israel, the boys played ‘The Chinese Policemen’ in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle and again at The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.
They have appeared on many major TV shows including The Des O’Connor Show, Noel Edmonds’ House Party, Talking Telephone Numbers and The Generation Game.
In the spring of 1999 the boys appeared at various theatres across the country starring in An Evening at the Music Hall whilst continuing their tour of An Audience With.
The boys played full houses at their Summer Season in 1999 at the Blackpool Grand Theatre, the season was the one of the most successful summers Blackpool has ever had!
The 1999/2000 pantomime season saw the boys play the Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent for the production Cinderella co-starring Melinda Messenger and Britt Ekland.
The early part of 2000 saw the boys starring and touring in various shows throughout the UK’s theatres. Summer Season 2000 features the successful Comedy Bonanza show (which broke box office records) at the Blackpool Grand Theatre and The Princess Theatre, Torquay for 10 weeks from the 23rd July and later included Sunday’s at The Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth. Pantomime 2000/2001 saw the boys star at The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford.
2001/02 Pantomime season saw them starring in Aladdin with Tricia Penrose at The Theatre Royal, Nottingham.
Tommy and Bobby appeared at The Comedy Bonanza, Blackpool Grand Theatre throughout the summer of 2002 and went on to star in Dick Whittington as Captain and Captain’s Mate at The New Theatre Cardiff which followed with them starring in summer season at the Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth and Weymouth Pavilion Theatre.
The box office hit a new record breaking high at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton with Peter Pan for one for the longest running seasons in the UK 2003/2004. The boys played Starkey and Smee, two bumbling pirates, much to the annoyance of the evil Captain Hook.
Tommy and Bobby returned to our television screens early in 2004 with the BBC1 series Revolver, a comedy sketch show that brought together a whole host of talent that we all know and love, such as John Inman, Leslie Phillips and Honor Blackman.
The summer of 2004 the boys teamed up with The Grumbleweeds as they performed at The Blackpool Grand Theatre with the hugely popular Comedy Bonanza, they also appeared at The Britannia Pier Great Yarmouth, Futurist Theatre Scarborough and The Embassy Skegness.
They went on to feature in an episode of the new series of Last of The Summer Wine which was transmitted in March 2005.
The boys starred in Peter Pan at the Civic Theatre, Darlington in the 2004/05 panto season playing Smee and Yoo.
During the summer of 2005 Bobby filmed an episode of Heartbeat playing the role of Mr Turner.
Again 2005 they starred at the Blackpool Grand for the summer season in the comedy show Legends of Comedy, also taking the show to Great Yarmouth, Scarborough and Skegness. The show at Blackpool was also filmed by The Rights Company for release on DVD.
After proving massively popular, both were also asked back to film another episode of Last of the Summer Wine in August 2005.
Tommy and Bobby were then invited to experience life in the jungle on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here for ITV1. Both were thrilled to take part in such a unique television show and once again proved their popularity with the audience.
Panto beckoned for the 2005/06 season in Hull with the production of Dick Whittington where the boys played Captain and Captains Mate and broke all box office records since they were last there 16 years ago.
Bobby returned to Heartbeat in March 2006 to revive his role as Mr Turner.
In the summer of 2006 they were thrilled to be appearing at The Blackpool Opera House with their show Back From The Jungle with special guest stars, The Grumbleweeds.
They also took the show to The Britannia Pier Theatre, Great Yarmouth, the Embassy Skegness and the Futurist Theatre, Scarborough.
Throughout 2007 they toured the length and breadth of the country with over 40 dates with their comedy show, as well as returning to The Blackpool Opera House starring in Comedy Bonanza.
They also made a return to Last of the Summer Wine.
2008 saw Tommy & Bobby tour in the comedy play Big Bad Mouse. Once finished they embarked on another tour – The Best of British Variety, which due to public demand they appeared in again the following year!
2009 saw the boys starring in the Christmas production of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal.
2010 also saw them complete their sell out tour Rock With Laughter along with Jake and Elwood from The Blues Brothers.
Spring and summer 2011 included a network UK tour with various TV appearances from being judges on ITV1’s Show Me The Funny to This Morning and Day Break and something for Channel 4 to be announced next year!
Even after years of making people laugh, they are still enjoying every minute!
Previous Company Credits:
Aladdin, PC Ping & PC Pong- 2010/11.
Michelle Hardwick – Cinderella
Michelle trained at Scala Kids Performing Arts in Bradford, she is known to millions as Lizzie Hopkirk the dizzy receptionist in the ITV1 hospital drama The Royal.
Other television credits include, Stella Durham in Courtroom, Naomi Russell in Coronation Street, Lesley Sutton in Heartbeat; Sheila Dixon in Coronation Street; Sandra Gordon in Heartbeat and various commercials/ corporates and voice-overs.
Theatre credits include Margherita in Can’t Pay? Wont Pay! at the Oldham Coliseum; Eileen in The Erpingham Camp at Liverpool Everyman and Edinburgh Festival playing opposite Johnny Vegas and Young Karen in Land of the Living at the Royal Court Upstairs, London.
Michelle has worked extensively with award-winning theatre company Northern Broadsides, touring all around the UK, Brazil, Poland, Germany and the USA, her roles include Chorus in Medea; Eve in The Cracked Pot; Chorus in Oedipus; Ann Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor; Lady Blanche in King John; Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hero in Much Ado about Nothing; Juliet in Romeo and Juliet; Iras in Antony and Cleopatra and Lucie Harker in The Blood of Dracula.
Pantomimes include: Snow White in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs at the Grand Opera House York and at the Billingham Forum; Cinderella in Cinderella at the Hexagon Theatre, Reading; Slave of the Ring in Aladdin at Nottingham Playhouse; Golden Fairy in Mother Goose at the Oldham Coliseum; Jack and The Beanstalk at Nottingham Playhouse and Dancer in Sleeping Beauty at Leeds City Varieties.
Radio includes: BBC Radio 4, Shirley – Sarah/ Pammie/ Maid; Womens’ Hour- letter readings from the 18th century and It’s Just Like Watching Brazil- verse readings.
You can follow Michelle on Twitter @ChelleHardwick for all the latest tour news and info!
Previous Company Credits:
Death by Fatal Murder- Nancy Allwright- 2011
Aladdin, Princess Yasmin- 2010/11
Murdered to Death, Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington-2010/11
Wuthering Heights, Cathy- 2006.
Nicola Weeks – Prince Charming
Nicola graduated with BA Hons degree in Acting from The Guildford School of Acting 2003. Whilst at drama school she received the principal’s award for acting and a special award for outstanding contribution to the school.
Professional theatre credits include Sylvia, in a national tour with the new play Ballroom, Sarah Anne in A Flight of Fancy (National Trust); Sharon in A Slice of Saturday Night; The Good Fairy in The Wizard of Oz; various roles in Beyond The West End at the Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (National Tour).
She has appeared in pantomime for the last seven years, in Snow White, Lucy in Mother Goose and Prince Charming at The Hexagon, Reading and playing the title roles of Puss in Boots and Robin Hood at The Connaught Theatre, Worthing and Aladdin, at The Hexagon, Reading.
Last Christmas she played the title role of Aladdin at the Lincoln Theatre Royal.
TV and film credits include The Way We Live Now and Bleak House for the BBC and Poirot, Colditz and the comedy series Shoot the Writers for ITV. She has also done several voice-overs and played the part of Cathy in the short film Never Try to Trick Me with a Kiss. Nicola has also completed shooting her first feature film entitled Too Many Bullets in which she played the leadrolejenny.
She has also recorded three Dr. Who radio plays for Big Finish, two of which will be broadcast on BBC7. Also for Big Finish she has played the role of Meg Giry in The Phantom of the Opera. She has also worked as the Strictly Come Dancing correspondent for BBC Three Counties Radio which covers Beds, Herts and Bucks and most recently has been a member of the entertainment panel for the regular drive time show.
Previous Company Credits:
Death by Fatal Murder, Ginny Farquar- 2011
That’s Love, Young Sarah- 2011 Aladdin, Aladdin- 2010/2011
A Christmas Carol, First Spirit/Third Spirit-2010
Love’s A Luxury, Mrs. Charles Pentwick-2010
The Tart and the Vicar’s Wife, Cindy O’Connor-2009/2010
Daisy Pulls it Off, Alice Fitzpatrick-2008.
Richard Tate – Baron Hardup
Richard was born and educated in Liverpool where he studied art and design at Liverpool College of Art with fellow student and friend John Lennon. After a career in publishing, advertising and higher education, Richard joined Victoria Theatre Stoke as a professional actor in 1975.
His first TV series was in Hadleigh since then he has appeared in leading roles in Brookside; Agatha Christie Hour; The Bill; Holby City; Lilies; Merseybeat; Doctors; EastEnders; Perfect Strangers; Harry Hill; Seekers; Andy Capp; Going to Work and many more.
West End theatre includes Drakes Dream and Fiddler on the Roof and Phantom of the Opera at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Scrooge at the London Palladium and Sunset Boulevard at the Adelphi Theatre.
Regional theatre work includes Hobson in Hobson’s Choice, Corporal Jones in Dad’s Army; M Le Clerc in ‘Allo’Allo; Blanco in Porridge and Prospero in Return to the Forbidden Planet.
Films include Chariots of Fire, Poor Little Rich Girl and recently the ‘Nowhere Boy’ in which he played John Lennon’s history teacher.
Richard has recorded over 500 radio plays for the BBC and numerous voices for cartoon series such as Dream Stone; Bimble’s Bucket; Mole’s Christmas; Paddington; Wind in the Willows; Enigma; Astro Farm; Snow Queen; Santa’s Last Xmas; Pongwiffy and many more.
Previous Company Credits:
The Woman in White, Professor Pesco- 2011
‘Murdered to Death, Colonel Charles Craddock-2011
A Christmas Carol, 2nd Spirit/ Mr. Fezziwig/Gentleman/ Old Joe/ Voice of Marley’s Ghost-2010.
Craig Hollingworth – Buttons
Craig’s love for theatre started at the age of seven, when he was encouraged to join the Theatre Royal’s School of Performing Arts where he instantly found his passion for performing.
He started his journey at the theatre behind the scenes, as he completed his work experience placement at the Theatre Royal. He continued to work back stage, but he never lost sight of becoming a performer.
Craig attended Lincoln College, where he gained a distinction on the National Diploma in Performing Arts course. Since leaving Lincoln College, Craig’s career has gone from strength to strength. Starting out as a world famous ‘Redcoat’, he then progressed into the main production cast and was also a compare for Royal Caribbean Cruises. His TV credits include Doctors, Casualty, and Emmerdale.
Helena Waite-Roberts – Fairy Godmother
Helena trained at The Doris Holford Stage School and the London Studio Centre graduating with a BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance. Since leaving has toured extensively round the South East with Rainbow Theatre Productions and Rainbow Shakespeare as well as touring round Italy with Theatrino. She has performed in many shows for Blue Star productions including The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz and Jungle Book to name but a few. She has performed in numerous pantomimes throughout her career including Peter Pan with Henry Winkler.
Previous Company Credits:
A Christmas Carol, 1st Spirit/2nd Spirit/ Dora- 2011
Girls’ Night In, ASM/Understudy – 2011.
Kate Powell – Dandini
Kate hails from Cardiff, and studied at The Guildford School of Acting where she obtained her BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. Since leaving drama school she has appeared in many varied productions such as Under Milk Wood, Looking For A Piano, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, As You Like It, and 770 In The Shade.
Previous Company Credits:
Death By Fatal Murder, ASM/Understudy- 2011.
Villagers / Guests / Dancers
Holly Robinson
Holly began training at the age of 5 with Janet Ashton School of Dancing and is currently completing a three year musical theatre course at Performers College, Essex.
Professional credits to date include the popular television series Waterloo Road and Panto at the Cresset Theatre, Peterborough. Holly has been involved in this year’s Children in Need working with the cast of EastEnders and has also just finished filming a Music Video for American Artist ‘Adam Tyler’. Holly is delighted not only to be performing once again at the Theatre Royal but is very excited that this year’s pantomime is once again Cinderella, which was the first show she took part in at the age of seven.
Sonny Ward
Sonny started his professional training at the age of 17 after receiving a scholarship to attend Millennium Performing Arts (previously known as Millennium Dance 2000), where he graduated with a National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre.
While at college, Sonny was able to work with choreographers and directors such as Stephen Mear, Peter Darling, Nikki Woollaston, Spencer Soloman, Mary King, Chris Tudor, Nicola Tranah, Kenneth Tharp and Annette McLaughlin.
Sonny also trained with the National Youth Theatre and continues to train as a flamenco dancer at the renowned ‘Escuela de Baile’ in London.
Performing credits include, Parade dancer at ‘Disneyland Paris’, ballet dancer for the Scottish Opera National Tour of Manon, dancer for the ‘Ambition Ball’ at Emirates Stadium, Billy Elliot (USA Workshop), dancer in Flamenco Spectacular at the Peacock Theatre, ensemble for Dick Whittington Pantomime at London Zoo. Sonny has also worked for Warner Bros as a ‘Slithering Student’ in two of the Harry Potter films.
Choreography credits include Step Live! at Sadiers Wells, West Ham F.C. dancers at Upton Park, Dance Expressions at Sadlers Wells and Christmas Cabaret for MD2000.
Sonny currently teaches Matt Mattox Jazz and Street Dance full time at Sylvia Young Theatre School, and is a freelance dance teacher for the Royal Academy of Dance. He is also the co- director of Eaton Ward Agency.
Previous Company Credits:
Aladdin, Dancer/Villager- 2010/11
Scott Bishop
Scott started his professional training at the age of 18 after receiving a full scholarship at the prestigious Urdang Academy in London. Over the three years at Urdang Scott had the privilege of working with choreographers and directors including Heather Douglas, Paul Spicer, Hannah Chissick and Nick Winston. Scott graduated the Urdang Academy in the summer of 2010 achieving a National Diploma in Musical Theatre.
After graduating Scott performed in the Bartered Bride at the Royal College of Music choreographed by Kay Shepherd and Jo Davies. Other credits include a This Morning promo advert; actor for the RCGP annual exams and most recently modelled for Theatre Token promotional posters.
Scott demonstrates his passion for dance through teaching, from enthusiastic Zumba fitness classes to competitive disco and street classes, where his pupils have been very successful winning prestigious titles at the European Championships.
Previous Company Credits:
Aladdin, Dancer/Villager- 2010/11
Stacey Wilson
Stacey’s performing arts training took place at the prestigious Performing Arts College Italia Conti’s in London, on a three year scholarship course. During this time Stacey performed in many shows, Top Cat at the Wimbledon Theatre, A Shakespeare Tour, performed at the Royal Albert Hall and pantomimes in Chesterfield and Lincoln.
Stacey graduated in 2006 and was offered a position on P & O’s cruise liner the Oriana playing many leading roles in the seventeen shows performed. Other performances include a production of Las Vegas at the NEC Birmingham, ensemble in Mother Goose for Bruce James productions, and ensemble in Peter Pan for Chris Moreno productions. Stacey was contracted to perform weekly at the exclusive Hilton Hotel in London dancing Latin and Ballroom, was part of the Heart UK Video and danced at Wembley Stadium during the Carling Cup game between Tottenham & Chelsea. Stacey produced a DVD to help educational teachers in schools to teach dance and this has been extremely successful.
Involved in the exclusive Cambridge fashion week and is currently the promotional face of West End Theatre Tokens. Christmas of 2009 was spent in Milan as a show girl in the production Crazy Girls. Stacey’s most recent credit is Costa Cruises where she spent six months travelling the Asian Sea’s with her dancing. Whilst performing Stacey has never lost her love for teaching and loves to use her inspiration to encourage others. She recently qualified as a teacher with the ISTD of dance gaining an impressive honour. Stacey is the proud owner of her own business titled “Performing Sports” which is rapidly growing. It is an educational programme for school children focusing on different areas of physical activities and dance. Stacey’s latest adventure is setting up her own theatre school in the heart of Southampton called The Arts Factory.
Previous Company Credits:
Aladdin, Dancer/Villager- 2010/11.
Cannon and Ball to return for next season’s city panto as Cinderella’s ugly sisters
Lincolnshire Echo, 11th January 2011
They are still delighting Lincoln crowds as Chinese Policemen, but Cannon and Ball are already planning their next visit to the cathedral city.
Next year’s panto season will see the comedy duo treading the boards of Lincoln Theatre Royal as the ultimate drag act – Cinderella’s ugly sisters.
And Bobby Ball will not even be shaving for the part.
Tommy Cannon said the ugly sister role was one he had wanted to play for a while, but Ball had only just come around to the idea.
Ball said: “He’s wanted to do the ugly sisters for a while. It is the one thing we’ve never done in all our years of panto.
“I agreed to do it next year. We really like the Theatre Royal. The audience feels close to you, which is how it should be.”
The announcement that Cannon and Ball will be returning next year was met with delight by the people of Lincoln.
The duo have fast become favourites in Lincoln after two successful panto seasons in the city.
Full-time mum Ruth Jones, 37, of Bracebridge, near Lincoln, said: “I took my older two children to see Aladdin and they loved it.
“I thought Cannon and Ball might be a bit old-fashioned for children, but they thought it was hilarious.
“I think it is because they have a kind of timeless comedy, people will always respond to them.
“They will be a real draw. Anyone who went this year will want to see them again and will probably tell their friends.”
Ben Holmes, 21, a waiter, of West End, Lincoln, said he was happy the pair were to return, but said the show needed a more modern act.
He said: “The fact that a lot of younger people know about them is great. They are good at panto, from what I’ve heard.
“I think if they want to get people my age or younger parents to go to the show, they might need to get a more recent celebrity in the lead role.”