MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL, DON'T MISS THE FAIREST PANTOMIME OF THEM ALL! - Squarespace

MEDIA RELEASE
                              WEDNESDAY 6th APRIL 2022
                              EMBARGOED UNTIL: 12 Noon, Wed 6th April 2022

    MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL, DON’T MISS THE
         FAIREST PANTOMIME OF THEM ALL!
         STEPS STAR IAN ‘H’ WATKINS TO JOIN RUGBY LEGEND GARETH THOMAS,
      SOAP-STAR SIÂN REEVES, CARDIFF’S FAVOURITE PANTO DAME MIKE DOYLE, AND
                       COMEDY VENTRILOQUIST STEVE HEWLETT
               IN SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS THIS CHRISTMAS

The New Theatre have announced Ian ‘H’ Watkins from international pop group Steps will lead the cast in this year’s
magical family pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as The Man In The Mirror from Saturday 10 December
2022 – Sunday 8 January 2023.

As one fifth of the multi award-winning pop band Steps, for the last two decades H and his bandmates released over
twenty hit singles, five chart-topping studio albums and toured the nation nine times with their inimitable style of pop
and famous dance routines, amassing record sales of over 20 million worldwide. After a brief hiatus the group reformed
to celebrate their 20th anniversary, releasing new critically acclaimed material delighting existing fans and winning them
legions of new ones. Most recently the group combined forces with Michelle Visage, releasing their celebrated hit
Heartbreak in this City.

H said: ”CARDIFF! Let’s DO THIS! I am sooo excited to be back home this panto season!! It’s going to be STEPtacular!!!!”

H will be joined by New Theatre pantomime favourites, rugby legend Gareth Thomas and panto Dame extraordinaire
Mike Doyle, who return after a triumphant season last Christmas appearing in Aladdin. The line-up also includes
Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Siân Reeves, and comedy ventriloquist, BGT finalist Steve Hewlett.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is staged by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, led
by Michael Harrison and the creative team behind recent New Theatre successes including last year’s production of
Aladdin.

Michael Harrison said: “It is wonderful to have H joining our pantomime family this season in Cardiff, and we look forward
to him bringing his superb vocals and Welsh charm to the role of The Man In The Mirror. I am also delighted to be
announcing returning cast members Gareth Thomas and Mike Doyle alongside the addition of the talented Siân Reeves
and Steve Hewlett.”

Theatre Director of New Theatre Cardiff, Stephan Stockton, added: “Panto season is such a highlight of our year and
I’m delighted to have this fantastic cast confirmed. We’re thrilled to have so much Welsh talent in the cast, we look forward
to welcoming Siân Reeves back to the New Theatre and Steve Hewlett who’s making his first visit. I know how much our
audiences love this annual festive experience and they will have a great time again this year.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy,
sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs begins its spirited adventure at New Theatre from Saturday 10th December 2022 until
Sunday 8th January 2023. For more information, or to book, visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk. Book your tickets today,
or you won't be able to look yourself in the mirror!

ENDS

                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Listings and ticket information:

Sat 10 Dec 2022 – Sun 8 Jan 2023
Sat 10 Rhag 2022 – Sul 8 Ion 2023

Tickets are available from:
Box office: 0343 310 0041
Website: newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Relaxed performance                       Tue 20 Dec 6pm
A specially adapted show for people on the autistic spectrum and people with additional needs.
Captioned performance                     Thu 5 Jan 2.30pm
Audio Described performance               Sat 7 Jan 2.30pm
British Sign Language performance         Sun 8 Jan 1pm

New Theatre, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3LN

Facebook: /newtheatrecardiff
Instagram: @newtheatrecdf
Twitter: @New_Theatre

Notes to editors:

Ian ‘H’ Watkins
Born and raised in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales, Ian's big break came when he answered an ad for a pop band. Little
did he know that STEPS would go on to become the UK’s most successful mixed sex pop group of all time, with 14 top
five singles, 3 number one albums, 21 million record sales, 250 million streams & 10 sold-out national arena tours under
their belt.

After STEPS, Ian joined forces with fellow band mate Claire to release 3 top ten singles and an album titled Another You
Another Me. The title song was especially written for them by Benny and Björn from Abba. They also took over presenting
the award-winning SM:TV Live.

Ian graduated from The Royal Academy of Music with a Distinction. Whilst at the Academy his journey was documented
by Channel 4 in the 6-part series H Side Story. This was followed with two one hour specials filmed at the Stella Adler
Studio in New York where Ian completed his course.

Ian has starred in the title role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London Theatre which won
him a 'Theatregoers Choice Award' nomination; the iconic role of The Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, West End
Premiere of William Finn's Make Me a Song, Nick Piazza in Fame at the Shaftsbury Theatre, Dave in Before Bristol, Gareth

in Frank Vickery’s A Night on the Tiles, Michael in Erogenous Zones, Jeffrey in Family Planning, Rupert in One
O'Clock from the House and Duncan in Rhinestone Mondays.

Ian has appeared as Graham in Skins, Professor Trout in Bernice Summerfield, five episodes of the BBC radio drama Silver
Street, Dani's House and Party Wars. As himself he has been seen on Dial M for Middlesborough, Never Mind the
Buzzcocks, Celebrity Coach Trip, Total Wipeout, The Chase, Celebrity Big Brother, and the BBC Saturday night show Tumble
in which he stormed his way to the finals. His breath-taking final routine was awarded a perfect 10 by each of the judges
making it the highest mark of the whole series.

In May 2011 STEPS reunited for a documentary series titled Steps: The Reunion which became the biggest TV series of
the year on Sky 1. The band then scored another #1 album with their Ultimate Collection release. Following the album's
success STEPS embarked on a sold out 20 date arena tour. A second series entitled Steps: On the Road Again followed
them on tour.

In 2017, the band marked 20 Years of STEPS and released their first single in over 6 years Scared of the Dark, which hit
#1 on iTunes. They released their Tears On The Dancefloor album which is now Gold certified, and embarked on a 22
date sold out arena tour, selling over 300,000 tickets – making it one of the biggest pop tours of the year.

2020 saw Steps return with the #1 iTunes single and #1 video ’What The Future Holds’ written by pop legend Sia, taken
from the #2 charting album of the same name. This past September the band released the follow-up ‘What The Future
Holds Pt 2’ which also charted at #2 in the UK. The band have scored 6 A-List records on BBC Radio 2 across both albums
across a single year.

Later that year, Ian made history as the first same-sex dancing couple in the all-star line-up of Dancing On Ice for ITV,
partnering up with Matt Evers. Off the ice and alongside this Ian began hosting his own weekly radio show, Friday Night
with H on BBC Radio Wales. The show has been so successful that it’s now a part of the station’s regular programming
as it heads into its second year, taking the crown for the most listened to radio show on the network and in Wales.

STEPS are currently on the road for their 18-date ‘What the Future Holds’ UK Arena Tour, their tenth overall.

Gareth Thomas
Gareth Thomas is one of the most iconic and respected figures in world rugby. He was the first Welsh player to reach
100 caps and captained Wales in 2005 to the first grand slam in 27 years. Since retiring in 2011, Gareth has become a
regular analyst for ITV Sport and has worked on Rugby World Cups as well as numerous RBS Six Nations coverage.
Thomas has also become a household name, entertaining audiences on national television and raising awareness
around key issues, in particular LGBTQ+ equality, mental health and tackling stigma around HIV.

Thomas shot on to the professional rugby scene in 1994, aged 20, playing for his hometown, Bridgend. His 1995 hat-
trick debut for Wales then marked the beginning of an exceptional international career, where he went on to captain
the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand and be named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year in recognition
of his unique standing.

In 2009, Gareth famously became the first high profile sportsman in the world to come out as gay whilst still playing.
Whilst he never downplays the significance of this achievement, he hopes to see a day when it is no longer an issue in
the game at all. Since this iconic revelation, Gareth has continued to use his platform to champion issues close to him,
sharing his own experiences with mental health in his autobiography Proud.

In 2012 Gareth famously appeared in Celebrity Big Brother where he finished a credible third, as well as ITV’s Dancing
on Ice and Channel 4’s The Jump in 2017. More recently, in 2019, Gareth bravely told the world he was living with HIV.
He timed the announcement to coincide with his taking part in an Ironman triathlon to demonstrate that HIV didn’t
weaken him, he was in control. His BBC documentary, Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me, aired shortly afterwards and he has
since launched a Tackle HIV campaign to help others with prejudice surrounding HIV.

Gareth is no stranger to pantomime at New Theatre Cardiff, having previously appeared in Cinderella, Beauty and the

Beast and Aladdin.

Siân Reeves
Siân is currently filming as a series regular in the upcoming Netflix series Emergency Exit. She has recently appeared on
Sky One in Agatha Raisin opposite Ashley Jensen and Mathew Horne. Siân has also made two short films and is
developing a feature film and a comedy series. She has directed for BAFTA Rocliffe several times and enjoys working
with young people, and in her spare time volunteers at Great Ormond Street Hospital with Radio Lollipop.

Siân’s stage credits include Celia in By the Waters of Liverpool (Epstein Theatre), Mayor Matilda Hyde in Love Me Tender
(Manchester Opera House and Tour), Ustinya in It’s a Family Affair (Sherman Theatre), Veronica in God of Carnage
(Royal & Derngate, Northampton), Louise in Misconception (Assembly Rooms/Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Viviene
Roland in Lost Musical Society: Paris (Lilian Baylis Theatre), and Vaine/Leona in Vernon God Little (Young Vic Theatre).

Her feature credits include Hello Darlin (Sutopia Films), Time of their Lives (Bright Pictures/Vertigo Films), No Deposit,
No Return (Rocliffe Productions), Five Seconds to Spare (BBC/Talkback), Love Bites (Film Council), This Little Life (BBC),
Sweet Night Good Heart, and Intimacy (Telema Productions).

Further television credits include Coronation Street (ITV), Casualty (BBC), Shakespeare and Hathaway (BBC), The
Dumping Ground (BBC), Doctors (BBC), Still Open All Hours (BBC), Mountain Goats (BBC), Mount Pleasant (Series 1-4,
Sky/Tiger Aspect), Emmerdale (ITV), Lunch Monkeys (Series 1-2, BBC), Hope Springs (BBC), Clash of the Santas (ITV), City
Lights (ITV), Cutting It (Series 1-4, BBC), Northern Lights (Granada), Holby City (BBC), Linda Green (ITV), Making Waves
(Carlton Television), Swallow (Channel 4), In a Land of Plenty (BBC), and Making Astronauts (BBC).

Mike Doyle
British Comedy Award winner, singer, comedian and actor Mike Doyle this year celebrates 45 years in show business,
and 32 years in pantomime. Mike regularly works on luxury cruise lines such as Cunard, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean,
P&O Cruises, Regent, Seabourn, SilverSea and Viking Line. The rest of the year Mike is busy back in the UK with his one
man show, acting in the occasional play, after dinner speaking at corporate events, voice-overs exclusively for Trade
Centre Wales and Trade Centre UK and, of course, pantomime.

Since winning Opportunity Knocks in 1988 he hasn’t stopped. He was awarded Best Newcomer at the British Comedy
Awards, has appeared on three Royal Variety Performances which led to two performances for the Royal Family and
guests at Buckingham Palace. Mike has had many television appearances including his own series aptly called The Mike
Doyle Show (BBC One Wales). Mike was very honoured to be asked to be the subject matter in a documentary called
The Time of Your Life The HTV Years (ITV1 Wales) and guested on Wales in the 70s (BBC One Wales) and Reels on
Wheels (ITV1 Wales), and he appeared in the Stella Christmas Special (Sky One). Mike has also performed in the West
End in shows such as Buddy, in the role of the Big Bopper (Victoria Palace) and also the musical Grease, in the roles of
Vince Fontane and The Teen Angel (Dominion Theatre).

In 2007 Mike was approached to play the hugely demanding role of Welsh boxer Tommy Farr in the musical
Contender, written by Mal Pope and directed by Michael Bogdanov. Another departure from the normal roles came in
2009 when Mike played the part of Lucky Eric in the John Godber play Bouncers, directed by Richard Tunley, which was
so successful it was reprised again in 2010 and toured all over the country. More recently Mike played the part of
Vernon in the new Meryl Streep movie, Let Them All Talk for HBO, directed by Steven Soderbergh also starring
Candice Bergen and Gemma Chan, released in 2020.

Mike is a regular panto Dame at New Theatre having previously performed in Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk,
Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Steve Hewlett
This year Steve Hewlett is celebrating 25 years as a professional comedy ventriloquist.

After touring the UK in the Ken Dodd Laughter Show for three years, Steve had the amazing opportunity of
hosting his own 45 date UK theatre tour Thinking Inside the Box in 2014, entertaining thousands of British families,
which also followed his appearance on TV's Britain's Got Talent final.

In 2016 Steve appeared as a guest on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing after producing a dream show called Double Talk
which also starred legendary ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, then followed another show with American saxophone
sensation Kenny G, ending at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall.

In 2017 Steve toured his second UK theatre tour 30 Years of Talking to myself which he also took to Blackpool’s
pleasure beach in the Summer of 2018. Steve joined the legendary Osmond’s on the Andy Williams Christmas
Extravaganza in Branson, USA and on tour in the UK. Steve also held a week’s residency at The Falls Casino in Niagara
Falls, Canada to support Jimmy Osmond in Moon River and me.

Steve has been working on an upcoming book Ventriloquest which pays tribute to his peers in the art of ventriloquism.
He has also launched a podcast Eyes & Teeth, with over 150 episodes talking to his favourite comedy and variety
performers from TV, radio, theatre, comedy clubs and cruises.

Crossroads Pantomimes
With a glittering array of star names headlining spectacular, lavish productions, Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s
biggest pantomime producer.

Under the leadership of Michael Harrison, as part of Crossroads Live, the Company works with renowned creative
teams, talented casts and musicians, and passionate production teams, to create pantomimes which are at the heart of
family entertainment across the UK.

www.pantomime.com