News Story
SEPTEMBER 1ST
A gentle chill caresses your cheek as grey clouds settle ominously over Beacon Park: a stark reminder that Summer '25 is ending. Inside the Garrick, we're kept warm with an air of festive cheer all too common for anyone who finds themselves working in a theatre three months before Christmas. So, without further ado...
LET'S MEET THE CAST OF THIS YEAR'S LICHFIELD GARRICK PANTOMIME!
CLARICE JULIANDA is FAIRY TWINKLETHISTLE
First to arrive: Clarice Julianda. As someone with a forename that rhymes with the city of love, Clarice is packed with charisma of Eiffel proportions. Last year, she played a cow called Dave... This year, she's putting the airy in Fairy as the unconventional Fairy Twinklethistle: not quite the polished professional you see in Disney's 1950 classic animation. Talk about range! With a suggestive smirk in response to the most surreal would you rather question in the world, Julianda says, “It’s very different [playing a fairy rather than a cow]. I don’t have my hooves this year. I don’t have my tail. But I’m very happy to switch these for some fairy wings and heels. We’ll make it work!” Despite her cow costume having its very own pouch (which Clarice admits housed all sorts of paraphernalia during last year’s run of Jack & the Beanstalk), she appears quite at home in an elaborate pink fairy costume adorned with a Glinda-fied crown. “It feels incredible,” beams Julianda— “it’s very girly & it’s very fun! My favourite element of the costume has to be the sparkles. There’s lots of bling this year!”
Graduate of London’s Millenium Performing Arts, Clarice herself is a true Musical Theatre talent... Fresh from a stint in the Broadway Smash ‘Newsies’ in London’s West End, Clarice brings a musical edge that is sure to complement the collection of re-imagined hits in this year’s extravaganza. Despite her obvious disdain for icing (we’re true feeders at the Garrick), she’s a sweet treat of a human being packed with ounces of character. We’re sure you’re going to adore Lichfield Garrick’s Fairy Twinklethistle!
SHANNON BOURNE is CINDERELLA
Of course, no retelling of Cinderella is complete without its titular character... Cinderella. This year is the turn of local star, Shannon Bourne. Much like her role, Shannon’s natural beauty glows instinctively through the humble rags she has on. As one of the most approachable members of the cast, she’s never more 37 seconds away from an infectious smile. Only 12 hours prior, Bourne was completing a run of cult sensation Be More Chill at the Old Joint Stock. The following morning, she finds herself being grilled by us about what it’s like to step into the ubiquitous glass slipper and what audiences love so much about the story of Cinderella... “I think that people always love seeing an underdog story— like someone going from feeling powerless to feeling powerful, beautiful, and like an empowered woman,” she says with a triumphant air. And there’s no doubt she’s right. Jokes aside— Robin Hood, Beauty & The Beast, Jack & the Beanstalk: they resonate with audiences who often feel overlooked, unseen, and deserving of redemption... Despite finding herself touring the UK, it’s a privilege to have some local Midlands talent playing Cinderella. As she swaps the Saddlers Centre for the Three Spires, Bourne finds herself very excited about trying “all the nice restaurants” that Lichfield has to offer. Whether it’s the Winehouse, the Quill & Scholar, Ask Italian, the George Hotel, or Ruby Cantonese & Chinese (with promotional deals available for same-day ticket holders)— there sure is plenty to choose from. “I’m a big foodie. So in-between shows, I’ll be getting my fix of whatever Lichfield has to offer.” And there’s no doubt that Cinderella is a feast for all the family; Bourne is particularly excited about having her family in the audience—including her sister (a local primary school teacher) who will be bringing the class along with her... Brownie points when your sister is a real-life princess!
Shannon graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2023. Since then, she has toured the UK with ‘Stranger Sings’ and graced the Birmingham Rep stage in ‘Becoming Nancy’. This isn’t her first rodeo either; last year she visited Pantoland in Newbury Corn Exchange’s ‘Dick Whittington’. This year, our Cinderella is the type of girl you’ll be rooting for.
SAM RABONE is ALDIANNA
And just when we’re getting settled... Bounding in like two mischievous students who find themselves in the same class: Sam Rabone, and Matt Daines. Since their last joint venture into Pantoland, we’ve witnessed the birth of Prince George, the UK’s departure from the EU, and a global pandemic. Today, it’s like no time has passed at all.
But what’s a Garrick Panto without Lichfield’s very own... Sam Rabone? Never too far away from a five-star review (and rightfully so), Sam’s energy spills out all the way to Burntwood and beyond. What is most fascinating about Rabone is his unprecedented genius & slickness. If anyone managed to catch a lucky glimpse of him, in costume, bounding through the streets of Lichfield earlier this month, you’d probably attest to this. Even the ever-professional Andrew Downing-Booth, the face of Lichfield’s award-winning estate agents, found it impossible to keep a straight face around the dame. Sam, who will be bringing his ‘Big Bostin’ Variety Show’ (alongside Basil Brush) to the Garrick on 28th September, is no stranger to us. “I live here!” exclaims Rabone, “So, I love the fact that I’m local and at home for Christmas— Not many performers get to say that they are at home for Christmas, and I can! I love the theatre here. There’s not a bad seat in the house and the camaraderie between me and Ben and the rest of the cast is fantastic. I’m so happy I’ve got Ben back because we have such a laugh! And my first ever sister from 2013, Matt Daines— it's nice to be reunited with him. I just love being in Lichfield...” Admittedly, there’s no place like Lichfield at Christmas: “the Cathedral is beautiful, and the streets look amazing. I mean what more could you want except for maybe safer pavements? Those cobbles, those cobbles are slippy!”
Rabone's connection with the Garrick spans a decade, whilst his work with award-winning Evolution Production Company (fronted by Paul Hendy & Emily Wood) spans even longer. Hendy, an industry veteran known for hosting some of Britains best-loved TV gameshows, fronts the writing of this year's side-splittingly hilarious script. Wood has worked as a cinematic producer with some of the biggest commercial brands in the UK. As she casts her unmatched creative eye over the proceedings of the day, there's no doubt audiences are in the best hands with an Evolution Pantomime.
Despite those cobbles, Rabone is the type of performer you’ll never catch slipping. With over a decade of service to pantomime, he knows his way around pair of heels and a wicked cackle. His USP: a distinctively striking voice that splashes across the walls of auditoriums— brings vibrancy, uniqueness, and gumption. It comes as no shock to many that Rabone has dabbled in all sorts, whether it be radio, hosting, directing, and stage management. Nonetheless, the stage seems to be where he belongs. And are we incredibly lucky to have him for another year? Oh yes, we are!
MATT DAINES is LIDLEENA
2025 is shaping up to be quite the year for Daines: a landmark birthday, a fairytale wedding, and a vociferous stepsister named after a budget retailer. Behind the scenes, Daines oozes superlative levels of class and poise; on the stage, he’s a true seasoned professional. In fact, he falls within the category of thespians who relish in a three-show-day. “I’m one of them,” he says with a twinkle in his eye. “I don’t know why, I’ve always got a little buzz from doing it. You kind of do the first one at full capacity, and then you reset and you’re ready for your matinee and evening show. That’s how I kind of work my brain with it.” But there’s no doubt it takes a lot of discipline. “I think it’s important to just breathe, get some downtime, take yourself away from everybody as well (in the nicest way possible) just to have your own time as well.” As a triple-nominee at the Great British Panto Awards, Daines considers the wicked stepsisters an essential ingredient of this year’s offering— “they keep the whole show moving. They bring wit, humour, and a baddie you love to hate. But you always want them back on stage the minute they’ve left because you enjoy their character so much. And I’ve played to this for quite a few years now. I love playing it because I get to be bad, but also people love it... It really is a double-edged sword of coming on and being horrible, but then audiences realise that we are okay in the end." Despite a satirical "unfortunately” in response to us pointing out that he’s no stranger to Rabone, there’s clearly a nostalgia attached to his long-awaited reunion with Sam, having “worked together in 2013 for the first time and stayed friends ever since. It’s such a joy to, one: be in Lichfield, his home, with him and, two: be back together. And I’ve also worked with Ben before so it’s exciting to relive that chemistry on stage.”
Matt trained at the prestigious Mountview Theatre School and has since traversed the globe with an eclectic career as an actor and freelance director. He has passed on much of his expertise as Principal in the setup of his own Performing Arts College. With a varied career in the arts, immeasurable levels of wit, and bucketloads of pure talent, we’re very lucky to have Mr Daines at the Garrick this season.
BEN THORNTON is BUTTONS
Another returning figure is the endearingly effervescent, Ben Thornton. Already brimming with excitement to play Buttons (a loveable rogue and traditional pantomime trope), Ben strikes us as the type of performer who cares all about connection. He’s down to earth, genuine, and most of all... hilarious! Making some photo-worthy costume adjustments, Amy Chamberlain (Wardrobe Supervisor at Evolution Productions) proudly casts a keen eye over the Royal Blue ensemble, cutting away at some gold braid threads whilst Thornton jests effortlessly with his fellow cast. And as we traipse across Lichfield to film some top-secret footage, Thornton cheerfully interacts with hecklers like they’re his second cousins at a post-Christmas family get-together. “Are you coming to see the show?” he asks, as various locals recognise his unwavering loyalty to Lichfield. This year, he’s cracking side-splitting jokes and pining after Cinders, and he’ll be taking you, his ‘gang’, along for the ride.
Thornton trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, and has, since then, worked with some of the UK’s biggest brands. Original voice of the famous ‘Stop, Look & Listen’ Road Safety Hedgehogs, Ben has certainly been around the block a few times. Whether it’s television, stage, or screen— he’s a true performer with a natural comical edge that few can replicate. This year, we know the people of Lichfield will look forward to seeing their old pal for a festive catch-up.
JOE FEENEY is DANDINI
Familiar faces return in the likes of Joe Feeney. Brimming with agility and charisma, Feeney knows his way around the Garrick stage very well. Most recently, his role in this year’s Garrick produced: Pocket Dream, gave audiences a glimpse into his bashfully charming demeanour. This year, he’s all about being top wingman (given the climate of modern dating, even the most charming prince needs a bit of help every now and then). Despite towering over most at 6 foot something, Feeney couldn’t be any less intimidating. It’s easy to forget his warmth when he’s embodying a caricature level of stupidity. With personal links to Lichfield, performing at the Garrick clearly means a lot to him. “My grandparents lived on Upper St. Johns Street and adored the time they spent here; they only moved away because family matters took them to Yorkshire where I grew up, but they often spoke so fondly of their Lichfield life. It’s a wonderful full circle moment for me to find myself being able to enjoy Lichfield too!” Still, this sentimentality didn’t stop Lichfield locals from booing him in Tesco’s baked bean aisle last year, where he played the treacherous (but misunderstood) Luke Backinanger! This year, he’s particularly excited about being “well and truly a goodie!” When reflecting on his character, Dandini, he describes him as a “salt of the earth, all round fun time guy! Him and the Prince get up to all sorts of silly shenanigans, and at one point must switch places, which- as you can imagine, leads to a lot of confusion and chaos! Cinderella’s sisters fall madly in love with me (who can blame them) ... Unfortunately, the feeling isn’t entirely mutual! I think I’ll be spending most of my Christmas running for my life from those infatuated sisters! Bring it on!”
Like Thornton, Feeney also trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Since then, he’s established himself as quite the performer with a range of stage, screen, and television credits to his name. In 2018, he was a recipient of the Sir John Gielgud Award—no surprise given Feeney’s ability to command an audience. With a bounding voice and charming air, you’ll surely love Joe Feeney’s Dandini.
ADAM CRAIG is PRINCE CHARMING
Last, but not least... Could Cinderella ever be complete without her Prince Charming? The answer is of course a resounding yes—but there’s nothing like a bit of eye-candy though, eh? This year is the turn of Adam Craig. From the small, picturesque city of Stirling, in Central Scotland, Craig shines like sterling silver in his blush pink ensemble featuring glittering cravat. Despite the refined and calculated air of his character, Craig’s charm seeps effortlessly through in his interactions with cast and crew. A quiet confidence underlies his thoughtful choice of words when reflecting on the career landmark of his first pantomime lead. And it all began with a penchant for dance; Adam began at the ripe old age of six and “never stopped”. In between takes, you wouldn’t need to go far to find him and Bourne (Cinderella), dabbling in a few steps to Sabrina Carpenter’s freshest offerings. As the day goes on, it’s all the more clear that Craig is quite the triple threat.
Also being a Mountview graduate (you’d think there was a secret tunnel to the Garrick), Craig departs the West End’s, Oz, to meet us in Lichfield. And despite being quite far from home (as is usual for the performer at Christmas), he’s particularly excited about having his “mum, dad and sister” at the Christmas Eve show. “I haven’t spent Christmas with my family in Stirling for the last two years because of appearing in panto, but I have convinced them to come down.” We can’t wait for you (and Adam’s family) to see the irresistibly talented Adam Craig as this year’s Prince Charming!