Written by Chloé Holder

I am thrilled to be playing Wendy this Christmas in ‘Peter Pan’ at the Kenneth More Theatre!

This will be my official Pantomime debut, as previously I understudied Cinderella at the Kenneth More Theatre in 2021. I’m grateful that I got to perform in those 8 shows, and I absolutely loved it. I’ve always loved Theatre, but there is just something so special about Pantomime, especially at Christmas! I’m really excited for the full Pantomime experience this year; including costume fittings, promotional photo shoots for advertising, rehearsals and of course the shows. There’s something so magical about performing- I love becoming a character and telling their story, especially someone as loved as a classic fairy tale character. Seeing the reactions of the audience is something I really enjoy, especially with Pantomime as these shows are all about audience interaction and for lots of our younger audience members this is their first real experience of the Theatre.

I’ve always loved performing since I can remember. I started dancing at my local dance school at the age of 3 and from then went on to train at Beverly Marks Stage School, South Essex College and live my dream of graduating performing arts college (Millennium Performing Arts) with a First Class BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre in 2020. Since then I am grateful to have had so many wonderful opportunities such as performing as Ariel in Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ at the Kenneth More Theatre, and had the privilege of singing a solo as part of the ‘Redbridge Choral Music Festival’ at the Royal Albert Hall in London earlier this year.

I’m excited to see what my costume, the sets and scenery will look like this year. As many of you may remember for Cinderella in 2021 we had a magical transformation dress which was an incredibly intricate and beautiful design. I loved hearing the ooh’s and ahh’s from the audience each time our fairy waved her magic wand and I stepped forward to reveal my beautiful blue ball gown from under my tattered rags. And of course getting to ride to the ball in my flying unicorn-drawn carriage was a once in a lifetime experience I’ll never forget! We have wonderful designers who work on these magical moments and designs throughout the year so I am sure there will be some spectacular special effects and stunning scenes this year which I hope you are all looking forward to seeing as much as I am. I’m very grateful to have got this role and I can’t wait to experience the magic of Theatre again – I look forward to meeting you all this December!

To live will be an awfully big adventure.

J.M Barrie, Peter Pan