Cinderella: A Fairytale at Bristol Old Vic Announces Full Cast for Christmas 2025

Bristol Old Vic has unveiled the complete cast for its highly anticipated 2025 Christmas production, Cinderella: A Fairytale. The beloved Bristol-born retelling of the classic fairy tale will bring together celebrated local performers alongside exceptional talent from across the UK, promising a festive season brimming with music, laughter and theatrical magic.

The production, directed by Lisa Gregan, assembles a multi-talented ensemble that reflects the theatre's deep commitment to showcasing Bristol's vibrant creative community. With a reputation for reimagining the Christmas show as something far beyond traditional pantomime, Bristol Old Vic's festive offering has become one of the most eagerly awaited events in the city's cultural calendar.

A Fresh Ensemble Led by Rising Star Joëlle Brabban

Taking on the title role of Ella is Joëlle Brabban, a graduate of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts who brings an impressive roster of stage credits to this Bristol Old Vic debut. Brabban has previously starred as Lucy in The Rivals at the Orange Tree Theatre, Amy in Little Women at Dugdale Arts Centre, and Emilie in the National Theatre's acclaimed production of War Horse. She also took on the demanding lead in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. An accomplished singer and multi-instrumentalist, Brabban is currently performing in Love's Labour's Lost and Much Ado About Nothing with the GSC/Orange Tree Theatre, making her a perfect fit for a production that promises rich musicality alongside compelling storytelling.

A Homecoming for Bristol Old Vic's Prince

Joining Brabban as the bird-watching Prince is Joseph Langdon, for whom this production represents a deeply personal homecoming. Langdon first discovered his passion for acting through Bristol Old Vic's own Engagement programme before going on to train at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Since graduating, his career has flourished with appearances in high-profile West End productions including The Seagull (starring Emilia Clarke), Cyrano de Bergerac (starring James McAvoy) and Equus. He has also appeared in The Effect at the National Theatre, Winners with the Wardrobe Ensemble, and Village Idiot on a UK tour with Ramps on the Moon. Langdon's Bristol Old Vic credits already include Pigeon English and Talon, making his return to the stage where his journey began all the more resonant.

Bristol's Best-Loved Creative Voices Take the Stage

The casting underscores Bristol Old Vic's dedication to platforming local talent. Playing the Queen is Bristol performer, singer and writer Dionne Draper, one of the city's most celebrated creative figures. A recipient of both the Women of The West Award and the Lord Mayor's Medal, Draper is known not only for her acting career but also for founding Sing With Soul and creating the sell-out one-woman musical DAWTA, which champions community, creativity and social justice through music. Her theatre credits include Othello with the Young Shakespeare Company and Little Shop of Horrors at the Torch Theatre, while her screen work spans Channel 4's The Cure and Sky 1's Trollied.

Bristol-based actor and musician Guy Hughes joins the company as Ella's obnoxious Stepbrother, reuniting with director Lisa Gregan following last year's Christmas production of Little Red. Hughes is a familiar presence at Bristol Old Vic, with previous credits including Twelfth Night, Cyrano, The Nutcracker, The Little Matchgirl and Angels in Bristol. As an actor-musician, he has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare's Globe, Cheek By Jowl, Edinburgh Lyceum and Liverpool Everyman, working with some of the UK's most celebrated directors including Emma Rice, Tom Morris and Declan Donnellan.

Completing the Wicked Family

Making her Bristol Old Vic debut as Ella's scheming Stepmother is Cathy Walker, whose extensive stage and screen credits include The Unfriend in the West End, Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the National Theatre, Present Laughter at Theatre Royal Bath/ETT, and BBC's EastEnders. Walker's wealth of experience across both comic and dramatic roles promises a memorably formidable Stepmother.

Completing the dysfunctional family as the spiteful Stepsister is Daisy Ann Fletcher, who trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland after receiving the prestigious Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship Award. Her casting rounds out an ensemble that director Lisa Gregan describes as "extraordinary."

What Makes Bristol Old Vic's Christmas Shows Special

Bristol Old Vic's approach to its annual Christmas production has long set it apart from conventional family-friendly festive fare. Rather than a traditional pantomime format, the theatre crafts original theatrical experiences that blend live music, inventive storytelling and ensemble creativity. This version of Cinderella is Bristol-born, meaning it was conceived and developed specifically at and for the theatre, giving it a distinct identity that audiences have come to treasure.

Director Lisa Gregan has spoken about the importance of assembling a company that is not only talented but genuinely playful and inventive. "One of the most exciting things for me is how playful, inventive and multi-talented this ensemble are," she said. "I don't doubt their warmth, humour and creativity will help us create a Cinderella that's full of joy, music and magic this Christmas." Her emphasis on the ensemble's musicianship suggests the production will feature significant live musical elements, continuing a tradition that has become a hallmark of Bristol Old Vic's Christmas shows.

A Story of Love, Hope and Overcoming Adversity

At its heart, Cinderella remains one of the most enduring fairy tales in the Western canon, and Gregan has highlighted its themes of love, hope and overcoming adversity as central to why the story resonates so powerfully at Christmas. The decision to cast so many performers with deep roots in Bristol's creative community adds another layer of meaning. This is a production made by and for the city, reflecting the values of community and belonging that the fairy tale itself celebrates.

The mix of established names and emerging talent also speaks to the wider health of UK regional theatre. In an era when many theatres are under financial pressure, Bristol Old Vic continues to invest in ambitious, ensemble-driven work that nurtures local artists while drawing in talent from across the country. The fact that Joseph Langdon's journey began in the theatre's own Engagement programme and has brought him back as a leading performer is a testament to the long-term impact of that investment.

Should You Book?

Bristol Old Vic's Christmas productions consistently sell out, and with a cast this strong, Cinderella: A Fairytale is likely to follow suit. If you are planning a festive theatre trip to Bristol, booking early is strongly recommended. The production promises to be a joyful, musical and inventive take on the classic story, suitable for audiences of all ages.

For those in London, the West End offers its own wealth of family-friendly festive options. Browse our full list of shows currently available, or explore the latest new productions opening across the UK.