The coronavirus pandemic may mean we are missing out on our annual pantomime this Christmas (boo!) - but now, BBC Two has announced the theatre is coming to us this festive season (hooray!).
The channel will be airing a very special production of Cinderella over the Yuletide season, supported by Comic Relief.
Written by the Dawson Brothers, based on an original script by Ben Crocker, Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas will be a retelling of the timeless panto classic, with an all-star cast assembling online to put their spin on a much-loved story.
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In the world's most perfect casting move, Oscar-winning actor and all-round legend Olivia Colman will be making her panto debut as Fairy Godmother and will be joined by all-star cast that includes: Man Like Mobeen's Guz Khan as Buttons, The Night Manager's Tom Hollander as Baron Hardup and The Crown's Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Devilia.
The Queen's Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy will also be appearing as Cinderella while Bridgerton's Rege-Jean Page joins as Prince Charming, Rev's Jimmy as Dandini and actual real life sister and brother and This Country legends Daisy May and Charlie Cooper as The Evil Step Sisters.
What an *unreal* cast.
That's not all the surprises we will have in store during this festive fun-filled comedy: the show will feature surprises and cameos aplenty, including an "incredibly famous person wearing an incredibly unconvincing horse costume."
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Beloved artist and illustrator Quentin Blake has created a host of original hand drawn illustrations, helping bring the panto to life for everyone watching at home.
Speaking about the upcoming show, Patrick Holland Controller of BBC Two said: "This is a unique surprise at the end of a year when we all need cheering up. Thank you so much to Richard Curtis and the team at Comic Relief for assembling such a stellar cast to deliver us a pantomime to remember."
Comic Relief founder and director Richard Curtis added: "We're hugely grateful to BBC Two and the amazing cast for allowing us to do our first ever pantomime.
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"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.
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