Norwich Theatre is thrilled to announce that by Royal decree, Danny Hatchard will be playing the role of Prince Charming, and Jeevan Braich will play Prince Charming’s Personal Assistant and Bestie Dandini in Norwich Theatre’s pantomime, Cinderella, opening at Norwich Theatre Royal on 6 Dec 25 and running until 4 Jan 26.
Danny and Jeevan complete the Cinderella’s principal cast, with rehearsals due to start in mid-November. They join Georgia May Foote as Cinderella, panto favourite Joe Tracini as Buttons, Hannah Jane Fox who plays the role of the Fairy Godmother, and Owen Evans and Kenny Moore, who will play the Wicked Sisters.
Danny Hatchard is best known for playing Lee Carter in EastEnders, appearing in over 350 episodes and nominated for numerous awards. Other TV credits include Tyson Reeves in The Dreams Lands (BBC One); Jovan Smith in The Madam Blanc Mysteries (Channel 5); Lee in Ridley Road (BBC One/Masterpiece) and Cheese Aka Private Rhett Charlton in Our Girl (BBC One’s hit military drama). He was last on Norwich Theatre Royal’s stage playing Gaz in the UK tour of Simon Beaufoy’s The Full Monty.
In 2024, at just 17 years old, Jeevan Braich made his professional debut as RUSTY in Starlight Express, the role which won him the Stage Debut Award for Best Performer In A Musical and the WhatsOnStage award for Best Professional Debut.
Danny Hatchard said: “I’m chuffed to be heading to Norwich Theatre Royal this Christmas to play The Prince in Cinderella. I know the crowds here are proper up for a laugh, and I can’t wait to get stuck in. It’ll be my first ever panto, so I’ll be giving it the full works. A bit of sparkle, a bit of strut, and hopefully no tripping over the royal robes. Cinderella is an absolute classic, and I’m buzzing to bring a bit of fairytale magic (and mischief) to Norwich. Let’s make it a proper festive banger!”
Jeevan Braich said: “I cannot wait! I have heard that Norwich is the most beautiful place, especially at Christmas time, and I am ready to have Christmas fun with everyone and step into the world of craziness that is pantomime.”
Wendy Ellis, Norwich Theatre Creative Programmes & Audiences Director and lead producer of the pantomime, said: “This year’s pantomime is shaping up to be a spectacular one. We’re thrilled to have Danny Hatchard, a familiar face from our TV screens as our Prince Charming, alongside Jeevan Braich, a rising star straight from Starlight Express.
“With our principal cast now complete, the countdown to our spectacular pantomime is officially on!”
You will have a blast with this magical tale of love and hope. Cinderella dreams of life outside of the confines of her home, where she cleans, cooks and looks after her sisters.
Like every good friend, her best pal Buttons keeps her spirits up as she finds out that her sisters are invited to the prince’s ball, but poor Cinders isn’t. Will Cinderella ever meet Prince Charming? Will her fairy Godmother make her dreams come true? Will there be some baddies to boo and hiss at? Of course! It’s panto.
Cinderella opens at Norwich Theatre Royal on 6 Dec 25 and runs over Christmas and New Year until 4 Jan 26.
Cinderella has a range of accessible performances, including captioned, audio described, BSL interpreted, relaxed, sensory adapted, and an over-15s performance.
To book or to find out more, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office at 01603 630 000.
