Cinderella at New Theatre Cardiff
Nov
Take your seat and get ready to laugh, boo, and sing. Cinderella comes to New Theatre Cardiff this winter
Gethin Jones is pulling on his fancy boots.
“Ooh la la!” he shouts “My boots are really high! They’re over the knee – just like Puss in Boots.”
Owan Wyn Evans is watching on.
“Nice! I’ve never seen you in a knee-high boot before,” he replies.
“Just you wait, my friend!” smiles Gethin. “Just you wait!”
It’s a quick tea break for Gethin Jones and Owain Wyn Evans, two well-known faces who will be bringing happiness and laughter to thousands this winter.
Both are starring in this year’s production of Cinderella at New Theatre, joining crowd favourites Mike Doyle and Stephanie Webber. As excited as they are, it’s the first time that the pair have performed panto together.
“Geth, what is your advice as a seasoned panto performer?” asks Owain.
Ever the professional, Gethin is quick to reassure his colleague.
“I’ve got extensive panto experience,” says Gethin. “Erm. Actually, I’ve done one. And that was 15 years ago! Take my advice though when I say you can’t be too over the top with panto. You’re going to be fine.”
Gethin is no stranger to the bright lights of showbusiness. From Blue Peter to This Morning, the former Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf pupil has worked on some of the UK’s most popular flagship TV shows.
Even so, this is the first time in a long time that he’ll be performing panto. Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients New Theatre Cardiff audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes, and plenty of boos and hisses.
“We’re very lucky to have a great cast,” says Gethin. “I’ll be playing Prince Charming, Owain is Dandini, much-loved Cardiff regular Mike Doyle plays the Baroness, and we’ve got returning favourites Denquar Chupak as Cinderella and Stephanie Webber as the Fairy Godmother.”
For Gethin, the real magic of panto is the laughter.
“It’s all about the dynamics of the cast. It’s about the fun that we all have onstage that spreads out to the audience.”
“I love panto humour,” adds Owain. “There’s plenty of slapstick humour and double entendres.”
Gethin turns to Owain:
“And then I’ve got to set you up to be funny! Do you want to hear my favourite Dandini and Prince Charming joke? And I really hope it’s in this year.”
“Oh yes we do!”
“Ok. Cinderella runs up the stairs, she’s lost her slipper. I pick it up and say ‘A Shoe!’ and you say….’bless you sir!'”
“Haha! Right, we’ve got that one! If it’s not happening, we have to put it in! It writes itself!” laughs Owain.
“I know it’s coming, but it’s still funny!”
Owain himself is an established broadcaster. He hosts BBC Radio 2’s early breakfast show and previously presented weather bulletins across the UK. He is also an accomplished drummer, a talent borne from his childhood anxieties.
“I suffered a lot with social anxiety when I was growing up and drumming provided me with both physical protection and was something to deflect the bullying that came my way.”
Owain began his broadcasting career at the age of 18 when he became the presenter of a Welsh language children’s news programme. He then worked as a reporter, presenter, and video journalist for BBC Wales and in 2012, began presenting the weather on BBC Wales Today. He went on to deliver the weather across other UK regions.
In 2020, he made his debut as a reporter for The One Show. But it’s now back in Wales that he’ll be spending the winter.
“It’s so amazing to be doing a panto at New Theatre. This is my first panto and for me, panto is the pure joy of theatre. We had the usual school pantos when I was a kid in west Wales so whenever I think of the ‘big’ pantos, it’d always be Cardiff.”
Gethin is quick to agree:
“Yeah, it’s a landmark. When I was growing up in Cardiff, you’d say to your mates, let’s meet by New Theatre and head over to wherever we were going. It’s kind of weird now seeing our faces on posters and knowing we’re performing at that theatre. I’ve seen loads of shows there and what’s special, and what everyone tells me about this place is although it’s big, when you’re up on stage, it’s really intimate. It’s so special.”
Gethin and Owain will be joined by crowd favourite Mike Doyle, who has been in show business for 47 years.
“Mike’s great,” says Gethin. “He’s performed for 33 years in pantomime so we’re in good hands. We’ve also got the wonderful Denquar Chupak returning to New Theatre as well as the ever-popular Stephanie Webber, who has appeared on television and in numerous stage productions on land and sea across the globe.”
“Have you seen your outfit?” asks Gethin.
“Oh, I’ve seen it!” replies Owain. “I’ve got a tunic, and I’ve got tights! Who knew I’d grow so fond of a pair of crushed velvet tights, dahlings?”
Join Cinders this Winter as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters and meets her Prince Charming.
Cinderella is playing at New Theatre Cardiff from 7th December 2024 – 5th January 2025
Book your seats here
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