Cinderella casts a spell at Mansfield Palace Theatre press launch

The Palace was transformed into a fairytale setting for the occasion, with stunning venue décor created by Rosie Flora, while Elizabeth Orridge Photography was on hand to capture the cast and all the magic of the day.

The launch was attended by members of the local media, including pantomime sponsors Mansfield Radio, as well as the Mayor of Mansfield, Cllr Richardson, and Mansfield District Council Chief Executive James Biddlestone – who found themselves charmed by the Prince, teased by Buttons and rather unexpectedly falling under the spell of Cinderella’s outrageous Ugly Sisters, Melody and Harmony Hardup!

And with this fabulous cast assembled, it is easy to see why.

Stepping into the iconic glass slippers is Rosie Bentham, best known for her role as Gabby Thomas in ITV’s Emmerdale. A proud Nottingham native, Rosie is returning close to home to make her Mansfield panto debut as Cinderella.

Rosie said:

“Swapping the Yorkshire Dales for a bit of panto sparkle this year! I’m so excited to be joining Cinderella in Mansfield – especially performing so close to my Nottingham roots. See you all there!”

Joining her is a very familiar face to Mansfield audiences, Adam Moss as Buttons. Adam has returned to Mansfield Palace Theatre every year since 2014 as its much-loved pantomime comic, as well as playing a key role in the local community through creative workshops, Mansfield Community Theatre and his work with Mansfield Radio.

Returning to the Palace after last year’s Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs is Joseph Dockree as Prince Charming. Trained at The Royal Ballet School and Laine Theatre Arts, Joseph brings an impressive West End and international career to the role, having appeared in productions including Mrs Doubtfire, Mary Poppins, Cabaret, Shrek and Funny Girl, as well as performing at Tokyo Disneyland and with The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Joseph said:

“I am truly so excited to be returning to Mansfield this year and to be back with the incredible team at Mansfield Palace Theatre. Performing in Snow White last year was such a fun experience that I was very honoured to be asked to return to play Prince Charming in Cinderella. Who could resist the opportunity to work with the comic genius that is Adam Moss again? I can’t wait to be back in Mansfield for what is bound to be an awesome Christmas period.”

Meanwhile, Niamh Hendron returns to Mansfield for another Christmas season, this time swapping her dancing shoes for the magical role of the Fairy Godmother.

A First-Class Musical Theatre graduate of Leeds Conservatoire, Niamh has a particularly special connection with Cinderella. It was the first live show she ever saw as a five-year-old, sparking the passion that would eventually lead her to become a professional performer.

Niamh 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!”

And, of course, no Mansfield Palace pantomime would be complete without a healthy dose of mayhem.

The unstoppable Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph return as the fabulously outrageous Ugly Sisters, Melody and Harmony Hardup. With their larger-than-life personalities, outrageous costumes and sibling rivalry, the pair are ready to cause chaos – and clearly wasted no time demonstrating their talents at the press launch!

Completing the cast is David Pendlebury as Baron Hardup, bringing a wealth of West End and international experience to the role of Cinderella’s hapless but loving father, and Mikey Wooster as Dandini, whose recent credits include Friends! The Musical Parody and Zog and the Flying Doctors.

With a star-filled cast, spectacular costumes, stunning set, funky playlist, plenty of laughs and a generous sprinkling of Christmas magic, Cinderella is shaping up to be a spectacular festive treat for Mansfield audiences.

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

So polish those glass slippers, practise your best panto booing and get ready to join us at the ball – because this Christmas, Mansfield is going to have a ball!

Book your tickets online now or call 01623 463133.

More fun than you can shake a pumpkin at!