This weekend, the festive season officially got underway at Bournemouth Pavilion as Cinderella, the venue’s annual pantomime, burst onto the stage to delight audiences.

The opening performances drew packed houses and rave reactions, with families enjoying dazzling costumes, hilarious comedy, and plenty of traditional panto fun. From the first “He’s behind you!” to the final curtain call, the theatre was filled with laughter, music, and festive cheer.

Melanie Walters (Gavin & Stacey, BBC) delighted as the Fairy Godmother, Olivia Birchenough (Channel 5’s Milkshake!) dazzled as the leading lady, while Noel Brodie’s cheeky ‘Buttons’ and comedy duo Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph – The Fabulous Sisters – brought the house down with plucky jokes and traditional panto mischief.

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Written by acclaimed pantomime master Jon Monie and produced by panto powerhouse UK Productions, this year’s production of Cinderella at Bournemouth Pavilion brings this enchanting rags-to-riches tale to life.

Melanie Walters (Gavin & Stacey), who is playing the role of Fairy Godmother, said;

“What a magical weekend of panto fun and laughter! It’s such a joy to be back on the Bournemouth Pavilion stage, performing for such incredible audiences. On behalf of our talented cast and the dedicated team behind the scenes, we’re thrilled to bring this spectacular production to life. So gather your biggest boos and your loudest cheers. Let the festive fun begin!”

Established in 1995, UK Productions Ltd has delivered more than 200 musical and drama productions across the UK and internationally, with credits spanning the West End and Broadway.

Martin Dodd, Producer for UK Productions, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to see Cinderella burst into Bournemouth Pavilion with such energy and joy. With a stellar line-up led by Melanie Walters, Noel Brodie and Olivia Birchenough this cast delivers everything audiences love about panto and more. The opening weekend reactions have been phenomenal, and we can’t wait to welcome even more people to sharein the laughter, sparkle and festive magic. This really is the perfect Christmas treat—just don’t leave it until midnight to book!”

Cinderella tickets start from just £19 for selected performances. Early booking is strongly advised to get the best available seats and avoid disappointment. This is one fairytale that won’t wait until midnight! From curtain-up to the final bow, Cinderella promises pure magic, perfect for families, friends, and fairytale fans of all ages. Tickets are on sale now at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.

This year’s panto highlights include:

• Performances run through to Sunday 4 January 2026
• School performances Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10, Monday 15 and Wednesday 17 December 2025. Ice creams for school groups of 30+ plus a limited number of funded tickets for pupils on low income, thanks to the generosity of previous panto audiences (T&Cs apply).
• Group rates available (10+, 20+, 30+)
• Captioned performance on Sunday 14 December 2025 – open to everyone
• A relaxed performance on Tuesday 16 December 2025, open to everyone and great for those who prefer a gentler panto experience
• Concessions for under-16s on ct: groupsales@bhlive.org.uk

More information about Bournemouth Pavilion can be found online at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.

More information about UK Productions Ltd can be found online at ukproductions.co.uk.