Rehearsals begin for Cast theatre’s family pantomime Cinderella

The festive season is fast approaching, and excitement is building at Cast in Doncaster as rehearsals officially begin for this year’s highly anticipated family pantomime, Cinderella!

The talented cast and creative team have gathered in Doncaster, and the atmosphere is already electric, with non-stop laughs and great camaraderie as the company dives into bringing this classic rags-to-riches tale to life.

Written by Neil Hurst and directed by Tess Seddon – both returning after 2024’s Jack and the Beanstalk and 2023’s Beauty and the Beast – Cinderella is a hilarious production that will delight all ages. Audiences can expect fantastic musical numbers, under the guidance of Musical Director Sonum Batra, with a score packed with hits that everyone, from grandparents to grandkids, will be tapping their feet to.

In the central role of Cinderella is Aamira Challenger, a performer with an impressive background including credits at Shakespeare’s Globe and the West End. She’s joined by a strong principal cast: Joe Parker, who last year played Jack in Cast’s Jack and the Beanstalk, returns as the dashing Prince Charming; the multi-talented actor-musician Tasha Dowd, fresh from The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure at The Liverpool Everyman Theatre, plays the beloved Buttons; and Keeley Fitzgerald, known for TV roles in Doctors and Emmerdale, handles the dual roles of Dandini and Fairy Godmother. The iconic Ugly Stepsisters will be played by Adam Porter Smith as Cassie and the returning veteran dame Ben Eagle as Donna, with Ben celebrating his third year in the dame role at Cast after appearances in Jack and the Beanstalk (2024) and Beauty and the Beast (2023).

The production is further supported by a skilled Senior Ensemble comprising Aaliyah Taylor-Nelson, Cameron Duncan, and Millie Christie. These performers, who come from top institutions and touring productions, will also serve as vital understudies for the principal roles, making sure the magic never stops throughout the Christmas season.

Cinderella promises to be Cast’s most magical pantomime yet, delivering an unforgettable Christmas treat for the entire family.

Cinderella plays at Cast Doncaster 28 November 2025 – 04 January 2026. Tickets are available here.