Cinderella, London Palladium

It may be different in London but the tradition in the north was always that you go to your local panto and it makes no difference who is cast in it. In fact, the cheesier the better. Keith Harris and Lightning from the Gladiators were amongst the favourites I saw as a child. Hardly A Listers. We didn't care who was in it. We went for the custard pies, the jokes and because we were allowed to buy one of those rectangular boxes of smarties you only seemed to be able to get at the theatre.

Dont think the issue is whos in it so much as the initial publicity which suggested superstars and then the pricing.
Id feel differently if theyd initially said we are taking traditional panto back to the palladium and then announced the cast they have which is a decent enough panto cast.
That said i will probably stick to my annual trip to Eastbourne for panto as casting itself is not as important as ease of getting there and back.
I do wish panto would return to Brighton so I could just support my home town theatre but the last few years have seen spamalot, rocky horror, priscilla and for this year sunny afternoon in that slot

To be fair, a lot of the publicity from Qdos has been of the 'Bringing Panto back to the Palladium' type, rather than 'Superstar casting'.  It was the media who really stirred the 'Superstar casting' thing up and ran with it, to the point where the panto bods were forced to point out that they were going with experienced panto performers and 'names' who would be cast because they can do the job, not simply because they're famous.

The way I see it, the cast so far is exactly as described - experienced panto performers and a 'name' who has experience of performing in the West End, so will be able to do the job.  I suspect the Uglies and Cinders will also be 'names' who can do the job.  Possibly someone like Pixie Lott as Cinders - young, attractive, well-known and able to sing and dance.

I wonder if Cinderella will be played by a west end star like Samantha Barks or one of the Strallen sisters. With Lea Mead as the prince it will be someone who can match him vocally.

Kara Tointon for Cinderella maybe?

Yeah I agree, got a feeling they might be American though?

nothing new on Cinderella and the Step Sisters? very strange isn't it? when do you all think they tell us the remaining roles?

New Wimbledon Theatre never seem to announce their panto star names until very late - October time. Although a different producer - First Family as opposed to QDos at the Palladium. I assume negotiations are still taking place but it is a terrific line up already so I assume the box office is quite healthy anyway. Unless Wimbledon get a huge name I can see them being the main casualty of the Palladium panto - folk will not be able or willing to afford both!

I agree, didn't like the cast they had for last year to be honest. However I really don't like the pantomime Peter Pan itself, but the MK version the year before had a more appealing cast (Bradley Walsh). Wimbledon can get good American names usually though but sometimes British Stars are better. Matthew Kelly was brilliant in Aladdin and Cinderella.

Regarding the Palladium, I think they'll announce the sisters soon then Cinderella last? Or will it just be done together? 

Andrew Wright has tweeted saying he had some "really exciting Cinderella preparation today" so hopefully we'll hear some more news this week!!

I'm just saying and speculating because something was tweeted. Sorry if it's annoying, i dont know?

It's now August. They obviously are having HUGE casting issues with this.