Comic Relief 'Cinderella' virtual panto for Christmas 2020
Friday 4th December 2020
A new, star studded version of Cinderella is coming to BBC Two on Christmas Eve, featuring drawings by Quentin Blake.
The curtain will be raised on a very special, virtual version of Cinderella as a host of famous faces from across the land will be gathering together for a fabulously festive treat in Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas. Written by the Dawson Brothers, based on an original script by Ben Crocker, it will be a retelling of the timeless panto classic.
Academy Award-winning acting royalty Olivia Colman will be making her panto debut as Fairy Godmother and will be joined by all-star cast that includes Guz Khan as Buttons, Tom Hollander as Baron Hardup, Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Devilia, Anya Taylor-Joy as Cinderella, Rege-Jean Page as Prince Charming, Jimmy Akingbola as Dandini and actual real life sister and brother Daisy May and Charlie Cooper as The Evil Step Sisters.
In addition to all this, legendary artist Quentin Blake has created a series of original hand-drawn illustrations, helping bring the panto to life for everyone watching at home. (Pictured above: 'Evil Step Sisters' Beryl & Cheryl).
With surprises and cameos aplenty, including an incredibly famous person wearing an incredibly unconvincing horse costume, this brand new virtual adaptation promises to be the starriest show on TV this Christmas. And while the public watch, they will also have the opportunity to donate to Comic Relief projects, if they feel able to, that are working to help people living with hunger, struggling with their mental health or feeling lonely or unsafe.
Richard Curtis, Executive Producer and Founder of Comic Relief said: ”We’re hugely grateful to BBC Two and the amazing cast for allowing us to do our first ever pantomime. It’ll be very funny and merry – and also a great seasonal opportunity to raise crucial funds for the projects that will help the most vulnerable people, at home and abroad - especially now when Covid has made things harder than ever for many.”
Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas will be broadcast on BBC Two on Thursday 24 December at 8.15pm and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
Quentin's illustrations which feature in the programme will be auctioned in aid of Comic Relief in due course, details to be announced.