Cardiff’s New Theatre, home to the family pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, has already exceeded record sales to date before this year’s must-see run has even begun. Demand for this year’s production, which stars Samantha Womack, Gareth Thomas, Mike Doyle, Chico, Tam Ryan and Stephanie Webber, has been exceptional with limited availability for performances before Christmas.
Actress and singer Samantha Womack is best-known for her role in EastEnders as the late Ronnie Mitchell, whose chilling on-screen departure was seen by over nine million television viewers last Christmas. Having appeared on numerous television dramas and comedies including Game On, Home Again, The Grimleys and films including Up’n’Under and Lighthouse Hill she has firmly established herself as one of the country’s most prolific actresses.
Starring as her Henchman will be Bridgend-born Gareth Thomas, known as ‘Alfie’, who was the first Welsh rugby player to reach 100 caps and is one of the most iconic and respected figures in world sport. Now retired, Gareth has gone on to enjoy a varied media career including appearances on Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing on Ice, The Jump and regularly commentates for BT Sport and Sky. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs marks Gareth’s return to pantomime at the New Theatre where he made his panto debut in 2014.
Back for his fifth consecutive Cardiff pantomime will be British Comedy Award winner, singer, comedian and much-loved dame Mike Doyle who will star as the Nurse. Following last year’s critically acclaimed appearance as Mrs Smee opposite David Hasselhoff in Peter Pan, Mike will bring his array of comedy, costumes and audience participation to New Theatre audiences this Christmas.
Starring as Prince Charming is The X Factor’s Chico, who became a household name as a finalist on the show’s second series. Not content with knocking Madonna off the top of the UK chart with his hit Chico Time, he swapped singing for skating and captivated the nation with his spectacular routines and reached the final of ITV1’s Dancing on Ice. Since then he has appeared on numerous television shows and in several pantomimes, winning rave reviews for his performances.
Funny man Tam Ryan plays Muddles. Tam has had a successful and varied career in live entertainment for many years, regularly starring on stage in venues across the country.
Stephanie Webber completes the line-up as Snow White. No stranger to audiences in Cardiff, she played Mimi the Mermaid in Peter Pan last year and has just finished Tiger Bay at WMC. In 2015 Stephanie auditioned for the BBC One talent search The Voice, receiving the fastest reaction from will.i.am upon hearing her spectacular singing voice.
- Best availability for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is now after Christmas. For full details and to book tickets visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889. The show runs until Sunday 14 January.