EastEnders actress returns to Croydon as real panto villain – Inside Croydon

Croydon’s own Kellie Shirley will star in Fairfield Halls panto this year – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

pantomime villain: Kellie Shirley will be on stage at Fairfield Halls in December

Previous EastEnders star, who now appears in the BBC hospital drama injured, is to play the role of the Evil Queen in Croydon’s biggest stage show of the year.

A former Brit School pupil, Shirley starred as Carly Wicks in more than 200 episodes of the BBC1 series, EastEndersand also hosted daytime shows and starred in three series of CBBC programmes Biff and Chip. She recently joined the BAFTA winner casualty as psychological nurse Sophia Peters.

She also played Kirsty De La Croix opposite Bill Bailey in the Sky comedy series Long-term – which also starred Idris Elba – as well as appearing on stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theater in a wide variety of roles including Nancy in Oliver Twist and Ophelia in Hamlet.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be playing at the Ashcroft Theater from 13 December to 5 January 2025, the pantomime version of the fairy tale, providing perfect Christmas family fun in a classic rags-to-riches tale with poisoned apples and a magic mirror.

“I’m excited to channel my inner queen for Croydon’s panto this year – as a local girl, I can’t wait to be back in my old stomping grounds for Snow White again,” said Shirley.

Also in the panto cast is Jamie Steen, who will play ‘Dame Dilly Donut’ in what will be her 32nd year in pantoland. Steen describes Fairfield Halls as his “local theatre”. He said: “I’m really looking forward to coming home for Christmas and strutting my stuff and fashion sense to all Croydonians!”

Charlie Guest, part of the Fairfield panto cast in 2023, is back, this time as Muddles.

The show is staged by UK Productions, whose producer, Martin Dodd, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Fairfield Halls after two fabulous seasons of Christmas pantomime with Peter Pan and Aladin.

“I couldn’t be happier that Kellie, Jamie and Charlie have joined the cast. Kellie is known to viewers, both young and old, from her many films and series, Jamie is one of the country’s finest ladies and Charlie is a comic actor who the Fairfield audience took to heart last year and always brings lots of laughs.

“We can guarantee the audience the worst of pantomimes, but watch those apples!”

Not to be missed, tickets and group bookings are available at fairfield.co.uk, with special early bird rates and super school deals available, as well as subtitled (December 27) and relaxed (January 3) performances planned.

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