The belle of the… ahem, excuse me, the Cinderella of the ball has arrived! Manchester local, strictly star and soap opera star is thrilled to be joining the cast for our 2025 Cinderella pantomime. Get to know Georgia through this sit down interview we had with her and hear more about her wildest panto dreams!
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am Georgia May Foote. I’m 34, and I’m from Manchester. I’ve been acting since the age of eight. So, 28 years deep into this career now, which is crazy! But this is my first Panto!
Have you done stage work before?
I have, yeah, I’d never done it until I came off strictly. I think that kind of gave me the bug of performing live! I’ve been to Norwich before and performed in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which was fun. I’ve done Rocky Horror too. I think after lockdown, I just wanted to get out there and have a bit of fun
And is there a big difference between being on Coronation Street, Grange Hill, and the Stage?
Yeah, absolutely. On TV, you get the opportunity to go again. Like, obviously, if you’re reading something, if you can’t get your words out, or you know, you make a little mistake, at least you get the chance to do it again, whereas I think with stage work, and it’s all about doing it right.
And with panto, you’ve got the crowd!
That’s it. I think Rocky Horror was one of those that was very audience-led as well, and I loved that. That was one of my favourite shows I’ve ever done because of the audience participation in that show. That’s why I thought, ‘you know, what’, I’m sure I’d love panto
And our fans will want to know about Strictly Come Dancing…
It is so much fun; it was like 10 years ago now- crazy it has gone that fast. But I had a great time on that show.
And clearly you are going to be good at dancing!
I’d hope so! I don’t know if my knees are up to it these days, with the running I do! They are doing everything, but I can give it a whirl… or well, a twirl!
Besides performing, what is one hidden talent that you have?
I do nails. I’m a qualified nail technician and nail educator, so I have a salon that is opening soon. I’m a very creative person- it is what I do!
Are you looking forward to panto? You’ve said it’s your first one.
I am nervous, and I never really get nervous. When I was young, anyway, I do think it was more excitement than nerves, but as I have got older and got past that a little bit.
But a little bit more nervous now because it has been a while since I’ve done anything. I took a backseat for a bit, but now I am looking forward to it at the same time. I’m looking forward to a fun Christmas!
You’ve said you’ve been to Norwich before. What are you looking forward to spending Christmas with us here?
I think just being somewhere new is always lovely. Anyway, I love learning about new places. I love learning about the history of places, and I love that it’s quite far away from home, and as much as that might sound a bit strange at Christmas time. I think sometimes having a bit of time to yourself in a new place and getting to learn somewhere new is lovely. And that there are great markets here.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about performing?
Enjoy it. Like, just enjoy it. And that no one notices when you mess up, except for you. You just try and fix yourself up. And if you mess up, you can just improvise your way through it, and you’re alright. And people watching don’t know what it is meant to look like, so they won’t know what is wrong.
We love Christmas here at Norwich Theatre. But what is your favourite part about Christmas? It can be anything!
It’s the food, 100% I think it’s the roast dinner that my mum would cook. Like, it’s just unreal, like it’s got so many layers! But yeah, I do think the food I think most people would say that’s the best part about Christmas.
If you could play any panto character, what would it be? Why?
Cinderella! Because I just think she will go to the ball. I love Cinderella’s story, I think it is a really nice story to see – the change from Rags to riches is really lovely. And I’m excited to wear her dress! She is one of the only princesses I never dressed up as, if I am honest. I did Belle when I did Beauty and the Beast on Strictly and went as Snow White one year.
And if you can have any magical item from any fairy tale, what would it be and why? Rapunzel’s hair heals things. She’s my absolute dream character. I love Tangled. It is like my favourite Disney film. Yeah, and I love that her hair, just like he’s so beautiful and powerful, always heals everything.
I’ve got some ‘this or that’ questions now.
Glass slipper or comfy trainers?
Comfy trainers.
Grand Ball entrance or quiet getaway?
A grand entrance! I’m very dramatic.
Pumpkin or getaway car?
Getaway car. You can pop the heating on as you drive away!
Prince Charming’s Royal Decree or buttons best joke?
Ah definitely buttons.
Midnight deadline or no curfew at all?
No curfew.
‘Oh no, he isn’t’, or ‘he’s behind you’?
‘He’s behind you’.
Happy ever after or another Grand Adventure?
Oh, oh, why can’t you have both! Why can’t you have a grand adventure and have a happily ever after?
Be sure to get your tickets to Cinderella, to see if the show will be one grand adventure OR end in a happily ever after – hopefully for Georgia, it will be both, but only to be revealed after the clock strikes 12.
For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
