Cinderella switches on the lights at the Lyric

Cinderella did the honours and turned on the Christmas lights in Lyric Square, Hammersmith.

Timmika Ramsay, who will be playing the title role in the forthcoming panto at the Lyric Hammersmith, performed the honours in Lyric Square on Thursday 13 November. She was joined by the Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr Daryl Brown.

Money was raised for a new initiative, Small Tap Big Change, which aims to tackle challenges associated with homelessness in the area.

Donations are taken through contactless payment devices in pubs, shops and offices across Hammersmith town centre.

Panto preparations

Rehearsals are going well for the Lyric’s annual panto, with Timmika joined on stage by Shobna Gulati from Coronation Street.

The step-sisters are played by Mairi Barclay and Lauren Samuels, while Jodie Jacobs returns as Buttons, a year after playing Bow Belles in last year’s Lyric pantomime, Dick Whittington.

The Lyric’s much-loved annual pantomime runs from Saturday (16 November) to Sunday 5 January. As part of the Lyric’s target of encouraging new talent, six local young actors have joined the ensemble to perform in the show – giving them their first taste of professional theatre.

In the past, the pantomime ensemble has been the springboard to careers on stage. Jamael Westman went on to play the title role in Hamilton in the West End, followed by Karl Queensborough, another Lyric graduate, while Nathan Byron has subsequently appeared in Benidorm.

The panto, directed by Tinuke Craig and written by Jude Christian, is the traditional mix of live music, bonkers characters, awesome adventures, song and dance.

Tickets, including family discounts, available online at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre website or by calling the box office on 020 8741 6850.

Also at the Lyric for little ones, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas runs from Wednesday 20 November to Sunday 29 December.

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