Richard J Fletcher will replace Martin Ballard who has withdrawn through ill health from Leicester De Montfort Hall’s panto Cinderella.
Ballard said, “I’m devastated to miss this pantomime season at De Montfort Hall. It was a tough decision to make because I love the venue and staff and it’s been a part of my Christmas for 12 seasons. I’d like to wish Richard J Fletcher all the best as Dame Penny. He’s a fabulous dame and I know Leicester audiences will love him.”
Fletcher commented, “I was first cast in panto 14 years ago which was also written by the great Eric Potts, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Cinderella cast this Christmas. We’re literally going to have a ball.”
Cinderella will feature dancing duo A J and Curtis Pritchard alongside CBeebies’ Evie Pickerill and funny man Jarred Christmas. It is produced by Imagine Theatre, written by Will Brenton and adapted by Eric Potts. Janice Dunn directs. Choreography is by Stuart Rogers and musical direction by Graeme Du Fresne.
Cinderella will run at De Montfort Hall from Saturday 10 December until Monday 2 January 2023.