Manchester Opera House will play host to the magical family pantomime Cinderella from 5 December until 3 January. The production will star Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean as their may their panto debt as the Fairy Godparents.
Swapping their ice skates for hi tech rollerblades, Britain’s most beloved sporting heroes bring their unique talents to the Opera House for the first time ever and will be wowing audiences with their amazing dare-devil routines. Cinderella will be filled with big song and dance numbers and jaw-dropping skating sequences as the classic tale is transformed into a breath-taking family extravaganza.
Jayne Torvill says ‘This will be our first ever pantomime and something we’ve been wanting to do for some time. We’re already working on some brand new choreography which we hope will bring a whole lot more excitement to the to the wonderful Cinderella story and reworking some old favourites too’
Christopher Dean adds ‘We’re really looking forward to bringing Cinderella to life on skates and spending the festive season in Manchester. We can’t wait for Christmas now!
The Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics saw Torvill and Dean shoot to international fame as the pair became the highest scoring figure skaters of all time after skating to Ravel’s Bolero, creating one of the most memorable sporting and entertainments moments and earning them a gold medal. Torvill and Dean continued to skate together for a further 14 years winning numerous professional and amateur competitions. Following their professional skating retirement in 1998 the pair embarked on a number of other projects including choreographing for English National Ballet, touring with Stars on Ice and producing ice shows such as Ice Adventures at Wembley, whilst also continuing to choreograph for other dancers.
From 2006 to 2014 Torvill and Dean became prime time TV favourites as coaches, choreographers and performers in ITV’s Dancing on Ice also taking the show on the road in their national UK tours. In 2014, Torvill and Dean returned to Sarajevo to dance the Bolero one more time, celebrating the 30 year anniversary of their Olympics performance. Their name remain synonymous with Ravel’s masterpiece to date!
The duo will be joined on stage by Wicked star Liam Doyle as Prince Charming with his loyal sidekick Samuel Holmes, whilst Eloise Davis has been cast in the title role alongside Tim Hudson and Dave Lynn as her nasty stepsisters. Stand-up comedian and actor Andre Vincent will play the smitten Buttons.
Oh, and let’s not forget that also featuring in the production will be real Shetland ponies!
Cinderella is performed at Manchester Opera House from Saturday 5 December until Sunday 3 January. Performance times vary. Tickets from £10.
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