The cast has been announced for this year's magical Christmas show at a Lancaster theatre.
In August, Cinderella was revealed as The Dukes' Christmas show for 2026, and will be the only Christmas show in the county performed in a round theatre space, when it comes to the Lancaster venue from November 21 to January 2.
The show will be directed by Polly Wain, The Dukes Young Company alumna, who was born in Lancaster and said she was "absolutely thrilled" to be directing this adaptation of the popular fairytale.
The cast includes the eponymous heroine Ella, played by Evie Hargreaves, whose theatre credits include To Kill A Mockingbird (West End and UK & Ireland Tour), The Merchant of Venice 1936 (West End and UK Tour), and Too Much World At Once (HOME Manchester and UK Tour).
Helen Longworth, a regular performer at the Dukes, returns as stepmother Clarissa. Helen plays Hannah Riley in The Archers (BBC R4) and has worked on hundreds of radio plays. With her own company, she performed/composed for Ladies That Bus (2020) and Ladies That Dig (2023).
The gloriously garish Ugly Stepsisters will be played by Analiese Emerson Guettinger (Greta) and Jenny Murphy (Grizelda). Analiese studied at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School where she played Warwick in Henry VI: Days of Rebellion, Polina in The Seagull, and Viola in Twelfth Night. Jenny’s theatre credits include The Cavern Club Story (UK tour), Alice in Wonderland (The Grange Theatre), and A Matter of Life and Death (New Vic).
Prince ‘Danny’ is played by Oliver Nazareth Aston, whose theatre credits include The Sound of Music (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Jeff Wayne's War Of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience (Layered Reality), and Oneida (Seven Dials Playhouse). Oliver is set to appear as a lead voice actor in the video game sequel to the BAFTA-nominated game Cassette Beasts.
The cast is completed by David Ahmad as Dad/King. David’s West End credits include The Kite Runner (also at the Nottingham and Liverpool Playhouse) and What I Heard About Iraq. Other productions include The Bolds and Mr. Holgado at the Unicorn and The Card for Claybody.
Tickets must be booked in advance. Group bookings available. Please contact The Dukes Box Office on 01524 598500 or tickets@dukeslancaster.org
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