From soap star to pantomime villain via the West End - actress Jennifer Ellison is set to star as the Wicked Queen in Norwich Theatre Royal's pantomime Snow White.
The actress, who played Emily Shadwick in the Channel Four programme Brookside, is the first of a number of cast members being announced over the next few weeks for the venue's Christmas show.
In her five years on Brookside, her character was at the centre of high-profile storylines including losing her father and brother in an explosion, a blackmail plot, and her long-running relationship with Tim 'Tinhead' O'Leary.
Since then she has appeared on TV in Gordon Ramsay's cookery challenge show Hell's Kitchen, ITV's Dancing On Ice, and can currently be seen on the Lifetime TV show Dance Mums.
She has had numerous roles on the stage, including playing Roxie Hart in Chicago in both the West End and on a UK tour.
She has appeared in the touring production of Legally Blonde and the West End run of Singin' In The Rain as well as several pantomimes, and also starred in the film version of Phantom of the Opera.
John Bultitude, from Norwich Theatre Royal, said: 'Our panto Wicked Queen is going to be glamorous, stylish, beautiful, and nasty. Jennifer is definitely going to mix brains and beauty in the role.'
Richard Gauntlett and Ben Langley are also set to star in Snow White this year.
Both performers appeared in the theatre's production of Peter Pan last Christmas. Having played the pirate Smee in Peter Pan, Mr Gauntlett will be back playing the dame, Nurse Nellie, in Snow White and also writing and directing the show. Mr Langley, who played the pirate Starkey in last Christmas' trip to Neverland, will be playing Nurse Nellie's hapless son Muddles.
Snow White is at Norwich Theatre Royal from December 15 until January 17. For more information visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000.
Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk
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