A fresh twist on the glass slipper: Rose Theatre unveils cast for new Cinderella
The Rose Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its 2025 festive production — a reimagined Cinderella penned by Olivier Award-winning writer Chris Bush (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) and rising voice Roni Neale, with original music by Matt Winkworth.
Running from 26 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, this new Cinderella trades pumpkins and glass slippers for something a little more grounded — and a little more grown-up. It’s the latest in a string of inventive Christmas productions from the Rose, which has carved out a niche for bold, family-friendly storytelling that doesn’t shy away from mischief or a bit of heartache.
At the centre of the story is 16-year-old Ella, played by Maddy Hunter, who’s spending Christmas at her dad’s house with a brand new stepmum, the world’s loudest twin stepsisters, and a bedroom that’s now a nursery. But when wishes and reality start to blur, she’s swept into a world of castles and balls — only to discover not all fairy tales end the way you expect.
She’s joined on stage by Joaquin Pedro Valdes (The Frogs, Death Note) as the charming-but-complicated Prince Chadley, alongside Simon Yadoo (RSC, The Real Thing) as Richard/Lord Richard. Hannah Akhalu and Corrina Buchan round out the step-sibling chaos as Snotterella and Grotterella — a duo likely to steal scenes and snacks in equal measure.
The cast also features young performers from Rose Youth Theatre, continuing the venue’s commitment to giving emerging artists a platform — and putting professionals and teenagers on stage together in an ambitious seasonal production.
Director Owen Horsley leads the creative team, which includes Ryan Dawson Laight (set and costume), Bretta Gerecke (lighting), and Dan Balfour (sound). Movement is by Shay Barclay, puppetry by Yvonne Stone, intimacy and fight direction by Claire Llewellyn, and voice/dialect by Josh Mathieson. Casting is by Arthur Carrington, with Pippa Dykes as associate director.
Speaking about the project, Chris Bush said:
“I’m beyond excited to be heading back to Kingston for Christmas and to be working on such an iconic title as Cinderella. It’s even more fun to be teaming up with Matt Winkworth again, and to be bringing Roni Neale to the party — we’re going to have a ball!”
Rose Theatre Artistic Director Christopher Haydon added:
“As a parent of two very small boys, I know how special a Christmas show can be. This Cinderella will be full of magic and mischief — something to delight audiences of all ages.”
Cinderella runs at the Rose Theatre, Kingston from 26 November 2025 to 4 January 2026. Press night is Thursday 4 December.
Tickets are available now at rosetheatre.org.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
