Pantoma’am! Crown stars’ virtual Cinderella
Surely that can’t be the Queen appearing in panto? Oh yes it is!
Well, at least it’s Olivia Colman, who played elizabeth II in series three and four of The Crown.
She takes the role of the Fairy Godmother in a Zoom- style charity version of Cinderella – and among her co-stars is Helena Bonham Carter, who appeared with her in the Netflix drama as Princess Margaret.
In photographs from Cinderella: A Comic relief Pantomime For Christmas, Miss Colman wears wings, a halo... and a large grin.
Miss Bonham Carter, who is cast as Cinderella’s stepmother lady Devilia, wears a fur shawl, large sunglasses and a fascinator. The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor- Joy plays Cinderella in the panto, which will be shown on BBC2 on Christmas eve at 8.15pm.
real-life sister and brother Daisy May and Charlie Cooper are the evil Step Sisters, while Guz Khan plays Buttons, Tom Hollander appears as Baron Hardup, rege- Jean Page plays Prince Charming and Jimmy Akingbola is Dandini.
little Britain star David Walliams is Major Domo and comedienne Aisling Bea appears as Mrs Snitch.
The BBC promises ‘surprises and cameos aplenty’ – and even a pantomime horse.
The cast assembled online, with artist Quentin Blake creating illustrations to bring the panto to life for viewers, who will have the opportunity to donate to Comic relief projects as they watch.
BBC2 controller Patrick Holland said: ‘This is a unique surprise at the end of a year when we all need cheering up.’
Comic relief founder richard Curtis said: ‘We’re hugely grateful to BBC2 and the amazing cast for allowing us to do our first ever pantomime.
‘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.’