Happy Valley star Mina Awar spreads Christmas magic as this year’s Cinderella pantomime star
Wed 31 Jul 2024
Star of the Happy Valley and the Thin Blue Line, Mina Anwar will lay down her police truncheon and swap it for a magic wand.
Granting our wish to ‘go to the ball’ TV and theatre actress, Mina will star as the Fairy Godmother in this year’s pantomime Cinderella, at Derby Arena this Christmas, from Fri 6 – Tue 31 December.
The well-known actress from Lancashire, is no stranger to Derby having appeared in a panto at the Assembly Rooms. Mina Anwar trained at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. She is best known for her roles in Happy Valley as Mrs Mukherjee and The Thin Blue as Constable Maggie Habib while kids will recognise her from the CBBC show The Sarah Jane Adventures. Her recent TV, film and theatre credits have included Doctor Who, Maybe Baby, The Worst Witch, Life of Pi (Sheffield Crucible) and Everybody’s Talking about Jamie (Sheffield Crucible).
Mina Anwar joined the cast and crew from both Derby LIVE and Little Wolf Entertainment at the Cinderella launch last week where there were filming on location at Derby Arena and the stunning Elvaston Castle.
Mina said:
“It’s been quite a few years since I did panto in Derby in the old Assembly Rooms so I’m looking forward to seeing how the city has changed! Also, who wouldn’t want to be a fairy godmother and make some wishes come true? I know Little Wolf have some very big plans for this year so I’m excited to see the all the spectacular things in store for the Arena this Christmas! “
Little Wolf Entertainment - the award-winning team behind smash-hit Derby pantomimes are announcing this year’s star alongside other key cast members including familiar faces from pantomimes past.
Derby’s favourite, award-winning panto dame Morgan Brind returns as part of the love to hate duo the Ugly Sisters opposite fan-favourite, Roddy Peters (Baron Wasteland in Mother Goose) returning to Derby Arena.
Local lad Kristian Cunningham, the title role in Aladdin (2022) and Benedict in Mother Goose (2023), makes a welcome return to Derby Arena’s stage as Buttons.
Nicola Martinus-Smith, who also starred in Aladdin as Princess Amira returns to the cast line-up as Dandini.
Joining the regulars is new arrivals to Derby Arena: Lucy Munden who was last seen in The Olivier nominated UK premiere of Next to Normal at The Donmar Warehouse (West End); Marisa Harris who was part of the widely acclaimed Annie Get Your Gun (Lavender Theatre, Epsom) as the Wicked Stepmother, and Charles Ruhrmund, who has appeared in several UK Tours and West End Musicals, including Hairspray, Chicago, Top Hat and 42nd Street, as the dashing Prince Charming.
Producers at Little Wolf Entertainment Alan Bowles and Morgan Brind spoke of the excitement around this year’s casting:
“We had the pleasure of seeing Mina Anwar in the original cast of the Sheffield Crucible production of the now smash hit musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, a few years ago. Since then, we knew that we would really like to work with her, and so we’re absolutely delighted that she will be adding her magic touch to Cinderella this Christmas at Derby Arena.
This year’s cast feels like a winning combination, of new and returning faces, who we know our loyal Derby audience will love. Cinderella will be a truly spectacular feast of magic, comedy and romance. We can’t wait to whisk you away to the ball, at the Arena this December. “
Cinderella has big dreams, but with her sisters digging their ugly heels in, it’s going to take help from her best friend Buttons and a little magic from her Fairy Godmother if she’s going to make it to the ball and her happy ever after before midnight.
Along with the multi award-winning Little Wolf Entertainment, we proudly invite you to take your seat for this lavish and larger-than-life pantomime!
Featuring sparkling sets, fabulous frocks, side splitting slapstick and not one, but two outrageous dames, this is an unmissable treat for the whole family.
The clock is ticking, so grab your tickets to the ball now! After all… the shoe must go on!
Your invitation to Cinderella at Derby Arena begins on Friday 3 December. Tickets are £31 - £20 with concessions, group and family tickets are available. We also have several access performances, including audio description, BSL interpreted, captions and relaxed shows. For more information about our access performances, visit the panto additional information page.
Book online derbylive.co.uk in person at the Sales and Information Centre, Guildhall Theatre, Market Place, Derby DE1 3AF or by calling us on 01332 255800.