Excitement reached fairytale proportions this week as The Orchard Theatre hosted its official Cinderella pantomime press launch at the stunning, historic Hall Place and Gardens in Bexley.
Set against a magnificent 16th-century backdrop, the glamorous launch event brought together a star-studded cast, local dignitaries, and regional media to celebrate a landmark moment: the official countdown to the theatre’s grand reopening on 12 December after a three-year closure.
The full star-studded company was out in full force for the celebrations, lead by comedy legend Joe Pasquale as Baron Hardup.
Guests and regional press outlets—including BBC South East, KMTV, and The Stage—were treated to a magical afternoon featuring a breathtaking horse-and-carriage photoshoot. Cinderella herself, musical theatre and TikTok star Abbie Budden, looked resplendent in a gorgeous blue ballgown alongside Prince Charming, played by West End star Keith Jack.
The cast line-up was completed with Ben Goffe as Buttons, Gareth Mitchell and Garnon Davies as the wicked Stepsisters, Vanessa Dumatey as the Fairy Godmother, and Craig Gallivan as Dandini.
A Triumphant Return for Dartford
Opening the speeches, Theatre Director Tal Rosen shared his profound gratitude for the unwavering support of the local community. He highlighted the exceptionally strong partnership between Dartford Borough Council and Trafalgar Entertainment, which has made the much-anticipated refurbishment of The Orchard Theatre possible.
Jeremy Kite, Leader of Dartford Borough Council, spoke passionately about the Council’s ongoing commitment to the arts in Dartford and captured the surging community excitement of having the cultural heart of the town reopen with Cinderella this December. All members of the cast expressed their pride and excitement to be the first performers to take to the newly opened stage.
Cast Reflections on the Magic of Panto
Speaking on the excitement of bringing the festive season back to Dartford, panto icon and director Joe Pasquale shared:
“It’s very exciting returning to Dartford every time I go back, but this year especially after the refurbishment. I think the audience are just as excited as me to see what has changed. For a start, it’s been brought up to date for the 21st century!”
Local resident and Prince Charming actor Keith Jack, who lives just 10 minutes from the venue, added:
“The Orchard Theatre has been around for a long time and it will be lovely to see the doors open again. You can’t beat that traditional feel of stepping into a theatre, especially at that time of the year.”
Playing the classic fairytale heroine, Abbie Budden spoke about stepping into the iconic glass slippers:
“It feels absolutely magical! Honestly, if you looked through my childhood photo albums, you’d see me in every single princess costume possible. I was always dressing up – it’s a little bit like revisiting my inner child!”
Thank You to Our Partners
Special thanks to our supporting partners go to Archers Travel for providing the coach that safely transported the cast and panto props to the venue, Papi’s Grill who provide a fantastic local option for pre-show dining, and Clifford Devlin for their expert project management of The Orchard Theatre refurbishment.
All guests enjoyed a delightful buffet, catered by Relish, and a fabulous afternoon immersed in fairytale luxury in the Great Hall of this historical venue.
Cinderella runs at The Orchard Theatre from Sat 12 December to Sun 3 January, promising a festive season filled with state-of-the-art animated scenery, incredible music, and belly laughs.
Pop on your glad-rags and grab your tickets to the ball today at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
