There was magic in the air at Aston Villa Football Club earlier this week as the fairy godmother of all pantomime casts arrived in the city for the official launch of the Birmingham Hippodrome’s 2017-18 pantomime Cinderella, the most magical panto of them all.

Making her pantomime debut this year in the role of The Fairy Godmother, Wolverhampton-born actress, Soul Diva and West-End star Beverley Knight enjoyed a homecoming to remember on Wed 20 September with a fairytale-themed photo shoot complete with horse-drawn carriage, magical glass slipper and enchanted snow-storm.

Joining Beverley for this year’s enchanted photo call were pop princess and television star Suzanne Shaw, best known for her time with the hit group Hearsay, funny-man Matt Slack, who returns for his 5th consecutive year in 2017 in the role of Buttons and the most faaabulous Ugly Sisters in showbusiness, Ceri Dupree and Phil Randall as Voluptua and Verruca.

The lavish launch event saw over 150 Press, Patrons and Friends of the Theatre visit the iconic Birmingham landmark for an exclusive cast Q & A session lead by Director Michael Harrison, Producer of 35 pantomimes across the UK. This was followed by an autograph signing and the chance for guests to have their photos taken with the cast.

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If you’ve yet to book your tickets for this year’s magical pantomime, hurry – the clock is ticking! Cinderella runs from 19 December 2017 – 28 January 2018. Book now for the party of the year!