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Panto star Stephen
Mulhern starts rehearsals

by Adam Williams

awilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk

The stars of this year’s Marlowe Pantomime Cinderella started
rehearsals this week.

EastEnders star John Partridge heads up
the cast as Prince Charming, alongside TV presenter and magician
Stephen Mulhern as Buttons and comedienne Sue Devaney as the Fairy
Godmother.

The show, which opens on Friday, December 2, is produced once
again by Eastry husband and wife Paul Hendy and Emily Wood from
Evolution Productions.

John Partridge, 40, is taking a break from playing Christian
Clarke in EastEnders and will return to Albert Square in the new
year.

He said: “It’s great to be here in the new theatre and be
rehearsing in the second performance space. To have a rehearsal
space in the same building as the show is a great bonus as it’s
really helping to get a feel for the place.

“Theatre’s where I started, so I’m no stranger to this type of
rehearsal process and it really feels like coming home.

“I’m a panto virgin so I’m relishing the challenge, but I’ll be
honest, I’m slightly apprehensive. It’s a marathon doing 90 shows
and you have to look after yourself.”

Stephen Mulhern, 34, returns for his third Marlowe pantomime and
can’t wait to get on the new stage.

He said: “I just can’t believe how it looks. It feels good too
because you’re always worried when you hear a new theatre’s being
built that it won’t suit its surroundings. But they’ve absolutely
managed to keep its character.

“I can’t wait to get going again this year. The cast looks
really strong and I absolutely love playing Buttons.

“It’s great working with Paul to put magic and illusions in the
script, because then you don’t feel like you’re working cold.”

The cast also includes Ben Roddy, star of recent Marlowe
productions of Snow White and Peter Pan, who plays Dandini.

The Ipswich Town fan, 37, is also the show’s assistant director
and company manager. His wife Kate is expecting their first child
in January.

Kate Quinnell, 25, plays Cinderella while Sion Tudor Owen fills
the role of Baron Hardup in place of regular Dave Lee.

See this week's Gazette for full story and more
pictures.