BH Live, the charity that operates Bournemouth Pavilion theatre is celebrating thousands of visitors to its recent star-studded pantomime, Cinderella.
As well as being another festive smash hit for the Grade II listed theatre, with overwhelmingly positive reviews; generous show goers donated thousands of pounds to the charity’s outreach fund.
Outreach funding offers support to less privileged children (who benefit from pupil premium provision) to help them access theatrical and cultural experiences. The fund will be used to enable less privileged pupils to go to this year’s festive pantomime, Aladdin.
The Bournemouth Pavilion outreach fund is distributed via local schools to fund pantomime tickets for less privileged pupils. This year, the team also aims to support schools with a higher proportion of pupil premium students by helping them travel to and from the theatre, as transport is often a barrier to participation.
Furthermore, thanks to BH Live’s access and concessionary schemes, thousands of people were also able to experience the show.
Steve Turner, BH Live’s Director of Venues said;
“A visit to the panto is often a child’s first experience of live theatre, and it can leave a lasting impression. That’s why, thanks to generous donations from our customers to our outreach fund, we can partner with local schools to provide panto places for less privileged pupils.
“Our aim is to ensure every child can share in the excitement when their class attends a show. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters this year, we’re delighted to be able to make that happen once again and extend our reach further.”
But the excitement doesn’t end here, as Bournemouth Pavilion gears up for another thrilling, magical, and unforgettable show – Aladdin!
Step into another enchanted world, where a humble boy discovers a mystical lamp that unlocks unimaginable power – and a journey of danger, love, and laughter unfolds.
This year, Bournemouth Pavilion is turning up the magic to new heights. Expect jaw-dropping staging, breath-taking lighting displays, and scintillating choreography that will sweep you away on a magic carpet ride like never before. With each scene more spectacular than the last, you’ll be transported to the glittering depths of the genie’s cave.
Returning for his twelfth consecutive year, Bournemouth’s comedy king Noel Brodie will take on the role of Wishee Washee, guaranteeing more laughs and unforgettable antics. Thousands of people have already snapped up their tickets to secure their favourite seats.
Written by acclaimed pantomime master Jon Monie, Bournemouth Pavilion’s annual pantomime will once again be produced by UK Productions Ltd, one of the country’s leading producers of musical theatre and pantomime nationally and internationally.
On behalf of UK Productions, Producer Martin Dodd added;
“It’s wonderful that together with BH Live and its team at Bournemouth Pavilion we are able to introduce so many school children to the theatre. Pantomime is a great British tradition, and the fact that this is coupled with audience generosity, to make even more theatre accessible to less privileged school children is really special – we can’t wait for Aladdin to take to the stage!”
A captioned performance* is scheduled for Monday 21 December 2026. A relaxed performance** is scheduled for Wednesday 30 December 2026, with bookings for schools*** and groups performances also available.
Tickets to the most magical night of the year is just one magic carpet ride away! Visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk for more information, or contact Group Sales at groupsales@bhlive.org.uk for more information about group bookings and concessions.
Funded places through the outreach scheme are limited – contact schools@bhlive.org.uk to find out more.
More information about Bournemouth Pavilion can be found online at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*A captioned performance may benefit those who are deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing. A captioned performance may also be of benefit to those who are neurodivergent, have auditory processing conditions, or whose first language is not English.
**At a relaxed performance, the theatre environment is sensitively adapted so that everyone can enjoy the magic of live theatre. Sound levels are lowered, the house lights are kept on, stage smoke is reduced, and people are welcome to move around or take a break away from the auditorium whenever they feel they need to.
***School performances for the 2025/2026 production of Aladdin are Tuesday 8 Dec 2026 (10:30am), Wednesday 9 December 2026 (10:30am), Monday 14, Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 December 2026 (10:30am) tickets are £21.25 if booked and paid for before 30 September 2026.
About Cinderella
Melanie Walters (Gavin & Stacey, BBC) delighted as the Fairy Godmother, Olivia Birchenough (Channel 5’s Milkshake!) dazzled as the leading lady, while Noel Brodie’s cheeky ‘Buttons’ and comedy duo Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph – The Fabulous Sisters – brought the house down with plucky jokes and traditional panto mischief.
Audiences and reviewers were unanimous in their praise:
“Cinderella, directed by Simon Fielding, was panto at its finest, with plenty of infectious humour, wonderfully chaotic scenes, and, most importantly, a gigantic dose of life-affirming fun.”
New Milton Advertiser & Lymington Times
“It’s a polished, high-quality production with all the charm, chaos and warmth that makes a panto unforgettable.”
Total Guide To Dorset
“The show has it all – a great storyline with a few twists thrown in, a strong cast , impressive sets, flamboyant costumes, impeccable vocals and clean choreography, and of course, plenty of witty jokes.”
BH Living
“Exactly what you’d had hoped for from a festive family night out – big laughs, dazzling costumes, catchy musical numbers and enough audience participation to keep everyone happy from toddlers to grandparents entertained.”
Blackmore Vale Magazine
The cast received exceptional acclaim throughout the production’s run, anchored by a series of standout, crowd-pleasing performances that have quickly become highlights of the production. Melanie Walters (BBC’s Gavin & Stacey) brought “warmth, sparkle and genuine emotional depth” to the role of the Fairy Godmother, enchanting audiences with a performance that balanced magical mischief with heartfelt charm and earned some of the loudest applause of the night.
In the title role, Olivia Birchenough (Channel 5’s Milkshake!) shone with “confidence and charisma, delivering a bright, engaging performance”, placing Cinderella firmly at the heart of the story. Her stage presence, vocal strength and infectious energy resonated strongly with audiences of all ages, making her a compelling and relatable leading lady.
Noel Brodie continued to win hearts night after night as a “warm, lovable and perfectly pitched Buttons”, bringing humour, sincerity and effortless audience connection to the role. Completing the line-up, comedy duo Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph – The Fabulous Sisters – were repeatedly singled out for their “razor-sharp timing, lightning-fast wit and fearless commitment to classic panto comedy”, delivering scene-stealing moments that sent laughter rippling through the auditorium, cementing their status as true panto crowd favourites.
Cinderella offered far more than entertainment; it was the first introduction to pantomime for many families and young people. With relaxed, captioned, and school-specific performances, the production ensured that everyone had the chance to experience its magic.
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Bournemouth Pavilion
Bournemouth Pavilion is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
This Grade II listed venue opened in March 1929. It has a 1,500-seat theatre and full-sized ballroom. The venue hosts a year-round diverse programme of events and entertainment such as musicals, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy, and dances. Gala dinners, banquets, receptions, fairs, corporate presentations, product launches, conferences and exhibitions also feature.
Bournemouth Pavilion is home to Pavilion Dance South West and the Pavilion at AUB rehearsal and teaching space for the Arts University Bournemouth.
Bournemouth Pavilion’s South Terrace operates throughout the spring and summer season, serving a delicious range of hot and cold drinks, grab-and-go items, and hot food from pop-up stalls and container bars. The Terrace Bistro serves a seasonal menu, offering an indoor and alfresco dining experience.
- Buy tickets online at co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box office – see website for opening times.
For call charges, opening times and more visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.
Get social with us:
Facebook, Instagram – @BournemouthPavilion
About UK Productions:
Established in 1995, UK Productions is responsible for over 200 musical and drama productions nationally, internationally, in the West End and on Broadway.
Producing credits include The Beekeeper of Aleppo, The Kite Runner, Legally Blonde – the Musical, 42nd Street, Oklahoma!, Singin’ in the Rain, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Jekyll & Hyde – the Musical, Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, Murdered to Death, Anything Goes, The Pirates of Penzance, and Barnum.
They are also renowned pantomime producers and have productions the length and breadth of the country. During Christmas 2026/27 they will have 11 productions in number 1 theatres. The company operate a busy set and costume production and hire business, supplying musicals, plays and pantomime sets, props and costumes to commercial and amateur producers nationally and internationally.