Meet the cast of Cinderella - Exeter Northcott Theatre

Photo of four of the cast members of Exeter Northcott's Cinderella, standing side-by-side, arm-in-arm on the steps of a formal garden. Left to right: a man wearing a violent orange dress and matching bow; another man wearing a pink gown and enourmous wig; a woman with long dark hair in a denim jacket and blue tulle skirt; a man in an acid green dress and matching bow.

This winter, our beloved annual pantomime will star co-producers Le Navet Bete alongside six other professional actors from the South West and six local children.

Cinderella is the our third collaboration with Exeter-based Le Navet Bete, following our year-on-year record-breaking success. Last Christmas’ Dick Whittington (pictured) was nominated for Best Pantomime (Under 500 Seats) at the Pantomime Awards.

Le Navet Bete co-founders Al Dunn, Nick Bunt and Matt Freeman will all perform in the pantomime, which they have co-written with Exeter Northcott Creative Director and Joint Chief Executive Martin Berry.

Dick Whittington production photo: Wearing colourful costumes against a Victorian London backdrop, 7 of the characters, including Dick and Sox the cat are singing and performing in a tight group. They're all gazing at and leaning towards the left.

Photo by Craig Fuller

I can’t wait to get started with our wonderful cast, which represents some of the brightest talent in the South West. Being a part of Exeter Northcott’s pantomime is a real privilege, not least because it’s a chance to bring people of all generations together to make wonderful memories. And thanks to our audience’s generous support of our Pay It Forward campaign, we’re able to gift tickets to local people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to go.

Martin Berry

An actor in orange tights, a blue denim jacket, white shirt, and blue tulle skirt stands in a garden with her hands on her waist.

Photo by Lillie Sherry

The family pantomime stars Devon-based Nicci Ashford as Cinderella, who has a rags-to-riches story of her own: Nicci spent six years as a successful mortgage broker, but when the pandemic left her career in tatters she decided to pursue her life-long dream of becoming an actor. After studying at East 15, she is now finding success in British theatre.

I’m beyond excited to be playing such an iconic role at the brilliant Exeter Northcott Theatre and working alongside so many amazing people, from local legends Le Navet Bete to the kids playing Quackers the Duck and taking their very first steps – or waddles – on stage.

Nicci Ashford

Sebastian Bristow, Amelie Campbell, Lamees ‘Lulu’ Rashid, Isla Shabytah, Ruby Lovell, and Nate Payne will be stepping into a number of different roles including Quackers the Duck and Graham the Manager, each performing in eight performances during the run.

They were cast from an open call-out earlier on this year, auditioning alongside over 90 children from the local area.

Photo of a loose group of 6 under-12s kneeling on the stage in the Northcott Theatre, smiling, with their hands outstretched.

Photo by Lillie Sherry

They will be joined on stage by Cornish-born Aaron Dart (2:22 A Ghost Story, UK tour) as Prince Farming; from Buckfastleigh, Bryony Maguire (Macbeth, Donmar Warehouse) as Dandini; Exeter-based Jodie Micchiché returning to the Northcott panto for the third year running as Countess Wear; and Somerset-based Mo Crook making her professional debut as an ensemble member and understudy alongside Tamsin Lynes (The Soldier’s Tale, Clapham Omnibus Theatre), from Totnes.

Text reads Exeter Northcott Theatre and Le Navet Bete present: Cinderella. Two little mice are haning out on the letters. On the right, is Cinderella practically floating. We see a poofy blue dress skirt, sparkly boots with one lace trailing behind and orange tights. Sparkles are trailing around her feet and there's a little duckling in her boot.

Cinderella will run at the Northcott Theatre from Thu 28 Nov 2024 until Sun 5 Jan 2025, with audio-described, BSL-interpreted, captioned and relaxed performances available.

The run also features our first ever No Kids Allowed performances, with more adult humour and extra naughtiness. The second No Kids Allowed performance, on Fri 3 Jan, was added by popular demand after the first performance sold out.

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