Bishop FM gets a sneak peek at this year’s festive pantomime in Barnard Castle.
The magic of pantomime is returning to The Witham in Barnard Castle this Christmas, with Cinderella set to bring plenty of music, comedy, audience participation and festive fun to the stage.
Bishop FM has been invited behind the scenes for a special press preview, meeting members of the cast and production team as preparations get underway for this year’s show.
Cinderella is one of the best-known stories in pantomime, but audiences can expect a fresh take on the classic tale when the production arrives at The Witham.
This year’s production is being staged by Tom Rolfe Productions, continuing their successful relationship with The Witham.
” It’s a traditional pantomime. Lots of fun for everyone. Everyone is ensured a Witham welcome, and the ticket prices are competitive” — Jane Wiley
A familiar story with a pantomime twist.
At the heart of the story is Cinderella, alongside her friend Buttons, as she dreams of escaping her difficult life and finding her happily-ever-after.
Charlotte Hugill takes on the title role of Cinderella, with Liam McGrath playing Buttons and Harry Privett as Prince Charming.
They are joined by Eleanor Anderson as the Fairy Godmother, while Dale Ibbetson and Phil Hoyles take on the roles of Alexa and Tesla.
Of course, no pantomime would be complete without a few villains, plenty of laughs and an audience prepared to join in.
And that’s one of the things that makes pantomime so special — you never quite know what might happen when the actors meet a live audience.
“A lot of chaos, but a lot of magic and love.” “The audience interaction makes the pantomime better.” – Charlotte ‘Cinderella’ Hugil.
“So for me, this Cinderella is full of love, joy, a lot of Christmas magic, and I can’t wait to bring this to the audiences at Barnard Castle.” – Liam ‘Buttons’ McGrath
What happens behind the scenes?
Putting on a pantomime involves considerably more than what audiences see from their seats.
There’s the cast and rehearsals, but also costumes, scenery, lighting, sound, music, stage management and all the technical work required to bring the production together.
For the audience, it might look like magic.
For the people backstage, it’s months of planning and preparation.
“So we’re going all out with some new scenery and new costumes to really, really make this a special celebration.”
That behind-the-scenes work is particularly important in pantomime, where the pace can be fast, the audience is encouraged to participate and performers have to be ready for the unexpected.
Making pantomime accessible.
This year’s programme also includes a relaxed performance, giving audiences who may find a traditional theatre environment challenging the opportunity to enjoy the show in a more accessible setting.
It’s another example of how pantomime can bring people together and provide a Christmas experience for a wide range of audiences.
“The performance on Sunday 20 December 10am is relaxed. This performance will be more informal to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for audiences who might find traditional theatre settings challenging. “
The magic of Christmas in Barnard Castle.
For families across Barnard Castle, Teesdale and the wider Bishop FM area, a trip to the pantomime can be as much a part of Christmas as the decorations, presents and Christmas dinner.
Cinderella promises the familiar ingredients — a magical transformation, larger-than-life characters, villains to boo, heroes to cheer and plenty of opportunities for the audience to get involved.
And while everyone may know how the story is supposed to end, pantomime has a habit of making the journey there rather entertaining.
“Good jokes, audience participation, You will enjoy it. You won’t be disappointed.”
See Cinderella at The Witham.
Cinderella runs at The Witham in Barnard Castle from 18–24 December 2026.
With performances throughout the run, including a relaxed performance, there’s an opportunity for families and theatre-goers to experience the show during the Christmas holidays.
For tickets, performance times and further information, visit The Witham’s official website.
Bishop FM will be bringing you more from behind the scenes of this year’s production as we get closer to opening night.
Have you been to a pantomime at The Witham before? We’d love to hear your memories. Get in touch with Bishop FM via the app, online or on social media.