Honeyz singer Celena Cherry joins the cast for Haverhill Arts Centre panto Jack and the Beanstalk

The former lead singer of a girl group that had multiple top 10 UK hits is to star in the Haverhill Arts Centre’s 2024 pantomime.

With tickets selling fast for Jack and the Beanstalk and rehearsals about to get under way, the arts centre has announced the cast for this year’s show will include Honeyz lead singer Celena Cherry.

Celena will play the role of Fairy Honey.

The Honeyz rose to fame in the late 1990s, enjoying five UK top 10 hits between 1998 and 2000 – Finally Found, End of the Line, Love of a Lifetime, Never Let You Down and Won’t Take it Lying Down.

Their debut album, Wonder No.8, was certified gold by the BPI.

Celena has also enjoyed an acting career in recent years, starring in Hollyoaks and Doctors as well as appearances on Celebrity Coach Trip and Pointless Celebrities.

Joining Celena will be some familiar favourites who performed in last year’s production of Dick Whittington:

• David Learner (known for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (1980s) and adventure game show Knightmare) will be returning to play the villainous role of Fleshcreep

• Sinéad Mathias-Medeiros will play Jack Trott

• Aaron Blackburn will play Daisy the cow

• Michael Heslop is reprising his role of Dame Trott

• Jodie Corbett will play Jill Kindheart

Another new face will be Magic Kai who will be making his Haverhill panto debut as Simple Simon.

Performances for this year’s pantomime will run from Saturday, December 14 to Tuesday, December 24. See the full list of dates at haverhillartscentre.co.uk/performance/jack-and-the-beanstalk-2024.

Daniel Schumann, Haverhill Art Centre’s creative director and arts centre manager, said: “Following on from the success of last year’s Dick Whittington production, which was produced for the first time by the arts centre itself, Haverhill’s pantomime is back bigger and better than ever before.

“Jack and the Beanstalk will bring you a fresh and modern take on this giant of a pantomime tale.

“Pantomime is many young people’s very first introduction to live theatre and I want to deliver a homegrown panto experience that Haverhill can be proud of.

“So what can you expect at the 2024 Haverhill Arts Centre panto? A traditional pantomime, full of much-loved songs and belly laughs with plenty of opportunity to boo, hiss and cheer.

“This year will once again feature professional dancers, live music and talented local performers, including the Lisa Mason School of Dance.”