CINDERELLA - PANTO LIVE
Public relations & strategic outreach globally
Pender PR was engaged by the team from Panto Live for the release of the world’s first live, virtual and interactive Pantomime out of the UK. Cinderella Live, a musical comedy production like no other, completely live and interactive online, launched around the world for the 2020 holiday season. In this unique blend of live TV and theatre audiences were able to sing-along and interact with the actors - just like with a real musical comedy.
An incredible cast was lined up to bring the Cinderella characters to life. Chris Rankin, best known as Percy Weasley from the Harry Potter films, portrayed the Fairy-Godfather. Musical comedy veterans Steve Fortune and Tim Churchill, who have both starred in Jesus Christ Superstar, also joined the cast, alongside renowned Irish singer/youtuber Cuan Durkin, Katy Clayton (Shamlesss) and a who’s who of British Soap and Panto stars.
This high-end production was also unique, as the sets were entirely virtual and generated through Unreal Engine, which is also used in games such as Fortnite and series like Disney+’s The Mandalorian.
BTS of the Pantomime performance live from the UK
The successful press campaign was international included interview with Director Charlotte Peters and Chris Rankin with Variety’s Jazz Tangcay and the film was included in a roundup fo the World’s Pantomime’s in The New York Times.
We were also able to set up video interview with Chris Rankin across North America including Popternative, Sarah’s Scoop and more.
“Chris Rankin is best known as Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, but now, Rankin is entertaining audiences through pantomime.” - VARIETY
The Project
Panto Live, the company behind the groundbreaking production Cinderella Live produced the world’s first live-streamed, fully interactive pantomime over the 2020 holiday season. Pender PR was brought on to launch the Pantomime in the media around the world and was able to secure hits in the The New York Times interview with Variety and worked alongside the cast and crew to secure numerous publication inclusions. The cast included Harry Potter star Chris Rankin, Jessica Ellis (Hollyoaks), Kimberly Hart-Simpson (Coronation Street), Katy Clayton (Shameless), pantomime veteran Steve Fortune and renowned Irish busker and Youtube sensation Cuan Durkin.
Panto Live - the UK-based production company behind this Cinderella Pantomime, will be substituted traditional theatre stage scenery with 3D worlds in real-time created with Unreal Engine, the same technology used to build environments in The Mandalorian. This was a one-of-a-kind interactive and global event and Pender PR helped spread the word around the globe on a tight turnaround.