Tom is thrilled to return to the E.M. Forster Theatre for his eleventh year, but this time, the lovable fool is getting a rather substantial makeover! Playing Siri Hardup in Cinderella, Tom will be stepping into the heels of a pantomime Dame for the very first time. Joining Rhys Whiteside as fellow Hardup sister Alexa, he’s ready to cause twice the chaos, although walking in the shoes may take a little practice!
Tom’s theatrical journey began at the tender age of five, when he was cast as Humpty Dumpty in his school play. Instantly hooked he landed his first professional role at 15 in Peter Pan at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. He’s been making a career out of falling over and getting things wrong ever since.
Over the years, Tom has played the pantomime comic everywhere from Gravesend, Maidstone, Harlow and Southborough to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The E.M. Forster Theatre has become his much-loved panto home, and he’s delighted to be back for another Christmas of laughter and mayhem. Since founding his production company in 2009, Tom has produced theatrical productions, touring shows and pantomimes, and remains immensely proud to bring Wicked Productions’ Christmas shows to Tonbridge and The Woodville in Gravesend.
Away from panto, Tom enjoys making audiences scream just as much as making them laugh. His work in the scare attraction industry includes award-winning attractions such as Freak Week at The Hop Farm Family Park, Porky’s Fear Factory at Vic Halls, Extreme Sleepover at Tully’s Farm, The Hatch at Harlow Playhouse and Screamland at Dreamland Margate. He also creates illusions and consults for magicians and television shows, with his own magic tricks selling around the world. Whether it’s a laugh, a scream or a baffled “How did he do that?”, Tom loves keeping an audience guessing.
Tom also co-owns Clue Cracker, the escape room business in Tunbridge Wells, where this year saw the opening of a brand-new adventure, Escape from Dino Kingdom. He also opened Bogey’s, a retro-themed indoor crazy golf course, in 2024. Apparently, producing pantomimes wasn’t quite enough to keep him occupied, he had to throw dinosaurs into the mix too!
As Principal of Wicked Academy, Tom has loved watching its students flourish throughout the school’s first year. Bringing together drama, singing and dance, the Academy gives young performers aged 6–17 the chance to build their skills, grow in confidence and discover the joy of performing. Find out more at wickedacademy.co.uk, or plan your next escape at cluecracker.co.uk.
Above all, Tom’s proudest roles remain dad to his wonderful daughter Amelie and husband to his incredible wife Amanda, who, as Dolores Disdain in this year’s show, will also be keeping the Hardup sisters firmly in their place!
Tom sends heartfelt thanks to everyone who continues to support him and the company. He hopes you enjoy a Christmas full of laughter, shared memories and wonderfully silly moments with family and friends. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter @tommyswifty but please don’t follow him home.
Rhys is delighted to return to the E M Forster Theatre for his 6th fabulous year, this time stepping into the glamorous shoes of Alexa Hardup in Cinderella! Having played the heroic Strider in Rapunzel, the villainous Clarence Casanova in Beauty and the Beast, the hapless PC Reecey in Aladdin, the outrageous Dame Sarah Soggybottom in Snow White and, most recently, Jack Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk, he’s ready to swap climbing beanstalks for climbing the social ladder. Joining Tom as fellow Hardup sister Siri, Rhys is looking forward to double the trouble, questionable fashion choices and absolutely no chance of either sister leaving quietly!
Trained at CPA Studios, Romford.
Theatre Includes: Jack and the Beanstalk (E M Forster/Tonbridge); The Comedy of Errors (Tilgate Park/Open Air); Snow White (E M Forster/Tonbridge); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Wakehurst/Open Air); Aladdin (E M Forster/Tonbridge); Macbeth (The Archway Theatre/Horley); Beauty and the Beast (E M Forster/Tonbridge); Rapunzel (E M Forster/Tonbridge); Honk! (Ely Cathedral, Ely); Treasure Island (Harlequin Theatre/Redhill); Rapunzel (The Woodville/Gravesend); Aladdin (Theatre Royal/Margate); Alice In Wonderland (UK Tour); Snow White (Towngate Theatre/Basildon); The Importance of Being Earnest (UK Tour); The Jungle Book (UK Tour); The Wizard of Oz (Theatre Royal/Margate); The Phoenix Theatre (German Tour); Celebrate The Sound of Music (UK Tour); Dick Whittington (Wilton's Music Hall/London); Hello Dolly! (ADC Theatre/Cambridge); Grand Hotel (Jasmine Teh Studio/Romford); Peter Pan (Newark Palace Theatre/Newark); The Dining Room (Jasmine Teh Studio/Romford) and Anything Goes (St Augustine’s/Edinburgh Fringe).
Film Includes: The English Lesson (Blue John Productions) and Blindsided (London Film Academy).
Away from the stage, Rhys has enjoyed another busy year as Head of Drama at Wicked Academy, helping its young performers grow in confidence and develop their skills. He also returned to Germany for a few weeks over the summer to direct, enjoying the chance to put others through their paces before stepping back into a pair of heels himself!
His most exciting role this year, however, will be becoming a dad for the second time. At the time of writing, the newest member of the Whiteside family is still waiting in the wings, but should be making their grand entrance any day now!
As ever, Rhys dedicates his performance to his daughter Margot, his biggest fan and fiercest critic, and her soon-to-arrive sibling, whose reviews will hopefully be a little less outspoken. Special thanks go to his wonderful wife Lydia for her endless love and support through another year of theatrical adventures and the biggest family adventure yet.
Amanda trained in Musical Theatre at Mountview London.
As a performer, she has enjoyed work both in the UK and overseas.
She is thrilled to be returning to her beloved Tonbridge Panto family and is delighted to be putting the ‘wicked’ into this year’s Wicked Panto!
Previous credits include the UK tours of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ playing the Queen of hearts, and ‘Rapunzel Rocks’ playing the title role.
Other work includes- Solo vocalist for an Australian ‘Oral B’ campaign, the evil Queen in Wicked productions pantomime 'Snow White’ and a few delightful seasons of old time music hall at the Criterion, Blue Town.
Notable commercial credits include BMW, The Mail on Sunday, Oral-B, must have ideas and Boots.
She is the current face and voice of the Mooncup brand and has enjoyed starring in highly popular viral ads for them. Findable on YouTube under 'mooncup ltd'
Last September, Amanda and the gang from Wicked productions opened an exciting new weekly theatre school ‘Wicked Academy!’ She is loving helping to shape the Panto stars of the future as head of singing and parent communications for the school. Info can be found at www.wickedacademy.co.uk
She wishes you all a ‘wicked’ festive season and hopes you enjoy the show.
This performance, like all others, is for Amelie, Tom and her ridiculously supportive parents!
Training: The Dance Consortium
Born into a theatrical family, Georgia is no stranger to the world of pantomime. Georgia first appeared on stage at the tender age of 4, playing a “growing bean” in Jack and the Beanstalk, and last year made her UK Panto Principal debut with Wicked Productions as fully grown human “bean” Jill in the same story & town where it all began! Now she’s swapping the beanstalk for a ballgown this Christmas with her Wicked Productions family once again in the iconic role of Cinderella!
Georgia has spent the last 12 years performing as principal girl in various pantomimes across the Middle East with H2 Productions UAE. She was thrilled to be performing in fantastic venues and locations such as Dubai, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain & Oman, but she’s elated to be back at the E.M Forster Theatre this Christmas – a stage very near & dear to her heart.
Known on TikTok & YouTube for her various skits as iconic Disney characters, Georgia has amassed over 2 million followers, and since lockdown has thoroughly enjoyed bringing everyone’s favourite characters to life on TikTok.
Commercial credits include working with Highways England, Walkers Crisps, HSBC, Vodafone and McDonalds. You may also spot her on various billboards sporting a giant beehive updo in a current campaign for Hilltop Honey. Georgia also performs as a tribute artist to Sabrina Carpenter, called “Sweetly Sabrina” and yes, she’s a big lover of espresso! You may also find Georgia as a gamesmaster at the award-winning Tunbridge Wells escape rooms: Clue Cracker. Georgia is thrilled to have another “cold” Christmas at home in many years…just pay no mind to her chattering teeth!
You can find Georgia on all social platforms: @georgiafawcett
Maryanne Rattigan is a performer and facilitator passionate about inclusive theatre, comedy, storytelling, and creating engaging experiences for audiences of all ages. Since graduating from the Guildford School of Acting with a BA (Hons) in Applied and Contemporary Theatre, she has continued building a varied career across theatre, education, and community arts.
Maryanne currently performs and facilitates with Chickenshed Theatre’s Tales from the Shed, creating interactive theatre experiences for children and families, while also touring educational productions and leading workshops in schools with BigFoot Arts Education. Alongside this, she works as a drama and dance facilitator, creating accessible and inclusive creative spaces for young people.
Previous experience includes working at Walt Disney World Florida, alongside extensive experience in children’s entertainment and inclusive arts practice. Most recently, Maryanne has signed an exciting international performance contract, marking the next step in her professional career. Maryanne is thrilled to be making her pantomime debut as Buttons and cannot wait to bring plenty of laughs, energy, and festive fun to audiences this season.
Sarah is so excited to be making her EM Forster Theatre debut this panto season!
She is no stranger to a pair of wings as her last two stage roles were playing Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington and his Cat, and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at The Hazlitt Theatre pantomimes in her home town of Maidstone.
Other stage credits include playing Norma Jeane in "Norma Jeane the Musical", and Sister Mary Amnesia in "Nunsense".
Commercial credits include Domino's, McDonald's, Maltesers, Volkswagen, Nintendo, Hobbs and a Marks and Spencer Christmas commercial directed my Michael Gracey.
Other credits include the BAFTA nominated feature film, "Hoard", and working as a vocalist for Explosive Productions.
Last year Sarah filmed a leading role in a vertical drama and a featured role in an award winning mockumentary webseries.
She can't wait for you to join her in her quest to get Cinders to the ball, and you're all invited to join us for the laughs, songs, and silliness along the way!
TRAINING: The Urdang Academy.
THEATRE CREDITS INCLUDE: Miles in ‘50 First Dates’ (The Other Palace Theatre); Prince Charming in ‘Cinderella’ (The Woodville Theatre); Seth in ‘Stardust’ (Belgrade Theatre); Cogsworth in ‘Beauty And The Beast’ (Disney Dream Theatre); Harry Challoner in ‘This Was a Man’ (Leicester Square Theatre); Ryan in ‘Cold Chips’ (Theatre N16); William in ‘The Female Gaze’ (Cockpit Theatre); Chance in ‘Silent Running’ (The Stockwell Playhouse); Iachimo in ‘Cymbeline’ (The London Theatre); Aladdin in ‘Colour of Lamps’ (Arcola Theatre); Lord Byron in ‘Making Monsters’ (King’s Head Theatre); Prince Chubban in ‘Umrao: The Noble Courtesan’ (The Cockpit Theatre); Jack in ‘Jack And The Beanstalk’ (UK Tour).
FILM CREDITS INCLUDE: Rish in ‘Follow Me’; Tusken in ‘Life Outside The Frame’; Alistair in ‘Dead End’; Prince Amriti in ‘Red Nile’; Sy in ‘Fatal Text’
OTHER CREDITS INCLUDE: Dev Sharma in ‘Three Mobile - Life Needs A Big Network’ (Commercial)
Tom has spent more than sixteen years producing, writing and directing pantomimes with Wicked Productions, bringing laughter, adventure and a healthy helping of mischief to audiences of all ages. Having begun his career as a professional pantomime comic, performing across the UK and overseas, he knows first-hand that the audience is every bit as important as the cast.
His producing, writing and directing credits include Rapunzel, Treasure Island, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, Robin Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Peter Pan, Aladdin, Rapunzel Rocks, The Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland and The Jungle Book. At the heart of his work is a love of live theatre that brings families together, with big laughs, memorable characters and plenty of surprises along the way.
Away from the world of pantomime, Tom is beginning work on Dogz, a new adult comedy musical which he hopes to produce within the next couple of years.
This season, Tom is delighted to bring Cinderella to the E.M. Forster Theatre in Tonbridge. He would like to thank his wonderful cast, creative team and everyone at the theatre for the talent, energy and care they have put into bringing this much-loved story to life, from the first rehearsal to the final stroke of midnight.
Most of all, he would like to thank you for joining the fun. Cheer loudly, boo enthusiastically and get ready to have a ball!
Enjoy the show!
Carla Nicholson is the founder and creator of Firefly Dance School.
Firefly Dance School is a well established dance school held in Tunbridge Wells offering dance classes for all ages from 2.5 yrs to adults. Carla is extremely passionate about Firefly Dance School and is proud to offer dance classes covering many genres of dance including Ballet, Modern, Tap, Acro, National, Classical Greek, Contemporary, PBT, Street, Boys Only Ballet and Boys Only Street class as well as 1-2-1 private lessons.
Carla is an acrobatic arts trained teacher, Progressing Ballet Technique educator as well as one of the esteem panel of All England Dance Adjudicators
Her love and passion for dance started at the age of 3 where Carla went on to complete and gain a first class honours degree in Dance Performance and Choreography at Middlesex University and for the past 23 years has worked as a freelance choreographer, dance teacher, co producer and performer.
A few of Carla’s credits have been dancing in the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games 2012 (Danny Boyle) performing in the opening and closing of the Paralympic ceremonies 2012 (Jenny Sealey and Bradley Hemmings), gaining the choreography award for innovation, choreographing “Cabaret” for the Queen of Spain as well as working along side a resident West End Producer and Musical Director having gained recognition for her choreography.
Many of Carla’s students have become professionals performers in the West End, UK and International tours, musical films, and television. She is extremely proud of her students becoming educators themselves and sharing their love and passion for dance, theatre and production.
This year marks Carla’s 25th year of choreographing pantomime and is so proud to be working with Wicked Productions again this year for their 14th pantomime season. It is always an absolute delight and joy to be asked to be on the creative team and watching the magic of panto come alive.
Carla would like to wish the cast of “Cinderella” the best of luck for all their performances.
Toby is currently Musical Supervisor on the Scottish revival of Guys & Dolls, opening at the Lyceum Theatre in April 2027. He is musical arranger on a major upcoming Punchdrunk project in the Middle East, and supervises on the upcoming UK tour & London productions of Burlesque The Musical.
Other credits as musical supervisor include Bank of Dave (Curve/The Lowry); Burlesque (Savoy Theatre) and Oliver! (Leeds Playhouse). As associate musical supervisor, Tina (UK Tour & Brazil); Sally Wainwright TV drama Riot Women (BBC) and the world premiere of Clueless The Musical (Churchill Bromley),
Credits as Musical Director: The Karate Kid (Mirvish Theatre, Toronto); A Christmas Carol (Northern Stage); Alma Mater (Almeida Theatre); The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre); Rock Follies (Chichester Minerva Theatre); The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre); Tina (Aldwych Theatre & Brazil); Calendar Girls (UK Tour); Sunshine On Leith (West Yorkshire Playhouse); The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium/UK Tour); Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Crucible); Oliver! (UK Tour); Avenue Q (UK Tour); Little Shop of Horrors (Menier Chocolate Factory/UK Tour); The Braille Legacy (Charing Cross Theatre), and a series of symphonic concerts with Joss Stone.
As Children’s Musical Director: Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane).
As Associate Musical Director: Little Shop Of Horrors (Duke of York’s/Ambassadors).
As Assistant Musical Director: Les Miserables (Queens Theatre); This Is My Family (Sheffield Theatres); Mamma Mia! (International Tour).
Toby trained at Trinity College of Music and Royal Academy of Music (DipRAM). Toby is also an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Training: B.A. (hons) Theatre Design & M.A. Scenography, U.C.E. Birmingham; Linbury Prize for Stage Design finalist, 1997; nominated four times for Best Set/Costume Design at the Great British Panto Awards, won in 2022.
Cleo is delighted to be designing her first panto in Tonbridge! Other regulars include Watford Palace Theatre, Greenwich Theatre, Belgrade Coventry, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Nottingham Playhouse and the Hackney Empire.
As well as many shows in the UK, others include – in Bermuda, over twenty musicals: The Addams Family; Mamma Mia!; The Producers; Jesus Christ Superstar; Oliver!; The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas; Into the Woods; Dreamgirls; Cabaret; Beauty and the Beast; The Full Monty; Ragtime and Fiddler on the Roof. In Dubai: Fame; Blood Brothers; Woman in Black; Annie; High School Musical (1 & 2); Abigail's Party; Don't Dress For Dinner; Dial M for Murder; The Sound of Music (Time Out Award: Best Musical), transferred to Bahrain and Qatar. In Canada: the opening two seasons for Montgomery Theatre, Prince Edward Island, with works from Wilde to Coward and Shaw.
Opera: The Marriage of Figaro (Lyric Hammersmith); Cosi Fan Tutte, Tosca (Christ’s Hospital, Horsham); Simon Boccanegra, The Merry Widow (Bloomsbury Theatre); Don Giovanni, (Heaven, Charing Cross). For Anchorage Opera: The Magic Flute; The Sound of Music; The Pirates of Penzance.
In New York, A Christmas Carol (New Players Theatre); Joyisms (Looking Glass Theatre)
