Wand at the ready! Niamh Hendron returns to Mansfield as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother

For Niamh, stepping into the role brings her own pantomime story full circle. Her first experience of live theatre was watching Cinderella at Leeds’ City Varieties Theatre when she was just five years old. The excitement, laughter and wonder of that performance stayed with her, inspiring a dream of one day pursuing a career on stage.

Now, years later, Niamh will be the one raising the wand, granting the wishes and creating that same sense of wonder for families experiencing the magic of Cinderella in Mansfield.

Niamh is no stranger to the Palace stage. During last year’s production of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, she appeared as part of the dance ensemble before being unexpectedly called upon to step into the spotlight as understudy to Katrina Bryan in the headline role of the Wicked Queen when Katrina was taken ill.

With little time to prepare, Niamh rose magnificently to the challenge and delivered a performance that made a lasting impression on audiences and the production team alike. Now she is returning to Mansfield for another Christmas season - this time armed with a wand, a generous sprinkling of magic and a very important pair of glass slippers.

Niamh trained in Musical Theatre at Leeds Conservatoire, graduating with a First-Class Degree in 2022 and receiving the Principal’s Award for Contribution to the Conservatoire. Her professional theatre credits include The MGM Story at Hope Mill Theatre, Sleeping Beauty at Malvern Theatres, Robinson Crusoe at Grand Opera House York, Sir Tom & The TJ Big Band on UK tour, Old Granny Goose at Grand Opera House York and Cinema Inferno for Maison Margiela with Imitating The Dog.

Speaking about her return to Mansfield, Hendron said:

“I am incredibly excited to be back this Christmas. As a young girl, Cinderella was the first live show I watched, and it inspired me to follow my dream in performing. I know how important Panto is to Mansfield, so I am honoured to be part of it once again. I look forward to spreading some Christmas joy – this time, as the Fairy Godmother!”

Councillor Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Skills at Mansfield District Council, said:

“Our annual pantomime is a much-loved part of Christmas in Mansfield, bringing families and friends together to enjoy live entertainment and creating that special sense of festive excitement across the town.

“It is fantastic to see Niamh returning to the Palace following her memorable performance in last year’s Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, and we’re delighted she will be helping to bring a little extra magic to this year’s Cinderella.

“The pantomime also plays an important role in supporting our town centre during the busy Christmas period, encouraging people to visit Mansfield, enjoy everything the town has to offer and support local businesses. We’re looking forward to welcoming audiences to the Palace for what promises to be another magical Christmas.”

Martin Dodd, Managing Director and Producer of UK Productions, said:

“We are delighted that Niamh Hendron is going to wave her wand over Mansfield as the magical Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. She already knows and loves the Palace audience, and we’re thrilled to welcome her back for what promises to be a Christmas full of sparkle, laughter and festive magic. Don’t leave it until midnight – book your tickets now!”

For generations of families, pantomime has been the moment when Christmas truly begins: the lights go down, the music starts and an entire theatre comes alive with laughter, cheers, boos and wide-eyed wonder. It is a chance to leave the everyday world outside, share the excitement with the people you love and make memories that continue long after the final curtain has fallen.

A UK Productions pantomime brings all that tradition together in one spectacular experience. With a star-filled cast, magnificent costumes, dazzling music, irresistible comedy and plenty of chances for the audience to join in, Cinderella promises a joyous festive adventure for audiences of every age - from children discovering pantomime for the first time to grown-ups reliving the magic of Christmases past.

At the heart of it all will be Niamh’s Fairy Godmother, reminding everyone that dreams really can come true, sometimes with courage, sometimes with kindness and sometimes with a little help from a wave of a wand.

So, polish those glass slippers, practise your loudest cheers and get ready to laugh, sing and believe in magic as Mansfield Palace Theatre invites everyone to come to the ball this Christmas.

Cinderella runs at Mansfield Palace Theatre from Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.

Book online 24/7 or call the Box Office on 01623 463133.