A dream come true for local actress

Lorraine Chase as 'Carabosse' the Wicked Fairy gets into character with Princess Beauty played by local girl Rhiannon Chesterman, originally from Hillsborough, at the launch of this years Grand Opera House Christmas production of Sleeping Beauty at the Culloden Hotel today.
Sleeping Beauty will be enchanting audiences from Saturday 30th November until Sunday 19th January and tickets are available by calling 02890241919 or online at www.goh.co.uk
Photo by Aaron McCracken/Harrisons 07778373486 — Lorraine Chase as 'Carabosse' the Wicked Fairy gets into character with Princess Beauty played by local girl Rhiannon Chesterman, originally from Hillsborough, at the launch of this years Grand Opera House Christmas production of Sleeping Beauty at the Culloden Hotel today. Sleeping Beauty will be enchanting audiences from Saturday 30th November until Sunday 19th January and tickets are available by calling 02890241919 or online at www.goh.co.uk Photo by Aaron McCracken/Harrisons 07778373486

“I am very excited to be a princess,” said Rhiannon. “It is every girl’s dream.”

Rhiannon, who went to Methodist College before going on to study musical theatre, will be well known to many local theatre goers as she has also starred in a host of productions by the local award winning youth theatre company ‘Fusion Theatre’.

“I joined Fusion when I was 16,” she explained. “I performed with them in Les Miserables, Pirates of Penzance and Jesus Christ Superstar. It was a fantastic experience.”

After leaving college, Rhiannon had her first professional role in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe before being cast in the touring production of the popular musical ‘Hairspray’, which was staged at the Opera House earlier this year.

“I was lucky enough to have the chance to play the lead role, Tracey, in Hairspray when the show was in Belfast,” continued Rhiannon. “Playing to a home audience is something I will never forget.”

And now she is looking forward to playing to a home audience once again when she steps into the role of Princess Beauty at the end of this month in the Grand Opera House’s production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

Rhiannon will be joined on stage by soap star Lorraine Chase, who will take on the role of panto villain, Wicked Fairy ‘Carabosse’.

Panto stalwarts May McFettridge and Paddy Jenkins will also be joining the show, which will open on November 30. Andrew Hill, Chief Executive of the Grand Opera House added: “It is great to see such a strong cast for what is undoubtedly the biggest event in the Grand Opera House calendar.

“Sleeping Beauty promises to be a truly spectacular production with lots of laughs and festive sparkle along the way.”

Sleeping Beauty is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s largest pantomime producer and features an abundance of comedy, stunning sets and fabulous costumes and has the Theatre’s hallmark of value-for-money and outstanding entertainment for all ages.

Sleeping Beauty will be enchanting Northern Ireland audiences from Saturday, November 30, to Sunday, January 19. Tickets can be booked on 028 9024 1919 or online at www.goh.co.uk.