Former Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw is returning to the Waterside to star in this year’s pantomime as Cinderella’s fairy godmother.
The musical theatre star opened the Waterside Theatre alongside Cilla Black and Jonathan Wilkes in 2010 and has wanted to perform there ever since.
She said: “I hosted the big opening, but I have never performed there so I am very excited. I’ve been wanting to play Aylesbury theatre for a long time.”
Suzanne will star alongside Russell Grant as Baron Hardup who returns after his stint as Roger the cabin boy in Peter Pan in 2012.
At 32 years old, Suzanne is very young to be cast as the fairy godmother, and actually played Cinderella in pantomime at Bristol last year, but she’s happy with the role.
“I think they wanted a younger, fresher cast and are taking everything a lot younger.
“I love comedy and I don’t like sticking to the same things every year.”
Aylesbury’s own popular pantomime regular Andy Collins will play Buttons and another familiar face will see the return of singer Holly Brewer in the title role of Cinderella.
Suzanne, who was crowned Dancing On Ice champion in 2008 said: “I know Andy very very well, we’ve just finished the Dancing On Ice tour together, he’s the stand up guy and he’s lovely.”
Russell Grant, who performed with Flavia Cacace in Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, said: “The role of Baron Hardup will be bespoke for me and he will have a school of dance. He will be doing a lot of teaching of dancing for the big ballroom scenes.”
Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Andrew Derbyshire will play Prince Charming.