NEWS: CORONATION STREET STARS MOLLIE GALLAGHER AND BETH NIXON LEAD CINDERELLA AT THE LOOM IN OLDHAM

Coronation Street stars Mollie Gallagher and Beth Nixon are set to have a ball in Oldham this Christmas as they take on the roles of the Wicked Stepsisters in Cinderella at The Loom.

Presented by Anton Benson Productions, the pantomime runs from Friday 11 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 and will be the first pantomime staged at Oldham’s new venue, which opened in spring 2026.

Joining the pair are Oldham panto favourite Jeffrey Longmore, celebrating his 50th pantomime season, Kate Salmon, Adam Parker Brown, Caitlin McNally and Ryan Hall.

Coronation Street Stars Lead the Cast

Mollie Gallagher, best known for playing Nina Lucas in Coronation Street, stars as one of the Wicked Stepsisters. Her television performance has earned several accolades, including a National Television Award for Serial Drama Performance. She is also currently making her stage debut as Clarice Starling in the touring adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs.

Fellow Wicked Stepsister Beth Nixon joined Coronation Street as athletics coach Megan Walsh. A graduate of Manchester’s Arden School of Theatre, she has also appeared on stage in The Good Hope, Reset and Fleur de Lis. Cinderella marks her pantomime debut.

Jeffrey Longmore Celebrates 50 Years in Pantomime

Oldham favourite Jeffrey Longmore returns as the Dame in a particularly special year. His first pantomime appearance was at King George’s Hall in Blackburn in 1976, making this his 50th pantomime season and his seventh with Anton Benson Productions.

Longmore has a long association with Oldham Coliseum, where he appeared in 27 consecutive productions after joining the company in 1978. His career has also included The Rocky Horror Show, numerous stage productions and a recent appearance in Coronation Street.

Meet the Rest of the Cinderella Cast

Kate Salmon plays the Fairy. An experienced performer and director, she has spent more than 20 years in pantomime, including ten with Anton Benson Productions, and has directed shows at Oldham and Rhyl Pavilion Theatre.

Adam Parker Brown plays Buttons. His work spans cabaret, touring theatre and family entertainment, including Fun for Little Ones, My First Concert and The Zoomies.

Caitlin McNally takes the title role of Cinderella. Her theatre credits include Santa’s Wish, Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast and Pop Divas Live!

Ryan Hall stars as Prince Charming. His previous credits include Glorious!, Saturday Night Fever and pantomimes around the country, including a previous appearance as Prince Charming in Cinderella at Contact Theatre in Manchester.

A Magical Christmas at The Loom

The familiar fairytale follows Cinderella as she dreams of attending the royal ball, despite the interference of her Wicked Stepsisters. With help from the Fairy, she may finally meet Prince Charming, provided she makes it home before midnight.

Anton Benson Productions has staged pantomimes for Oldham audiences since 2019, first at the Grange Arts Centre and later at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The Loom, in Parliament Square, is a new entertainment venue opened as part of the town centre’s regeneration.

Producer Anton Benson said the company was thrilled to bring the venue its inaugural pantomime and to celebrate Jeffrey Longmore’s landmark season alongside a cast ready to entertain Oldham audiences.

Cinderella at The Loom: Dates and Tickets

Cinderella runs from Friday 11 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 at The Loom, Parliament Square, Oldham, OL1 1AS. Performance times vary, and there is a naughty adults-only performance on 27 December at 7pm.

Tickets start at £12.50, subject to a booking fee. Concession, family and group tickets are also available. Full performance details and booking can be found at https://thespindles.co.uk/events/the-cinderella-pantomime/.