Currently, Hannah Jane Fox is playing Fairy Godmother in Norwich Theatre Royal’s pantomime Cinderella alongside Georgia May Foote as Cinderella, Danny Hatchard as Prince Charming, Joe Tracini as Buttons and Jeevan Braich as Dandini, and the pantomime, which is written by Joe, runs until Sunday 4th January 2026. Last year, Hannah Jane was in the West End transfer of Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! as Felicia and the previous year, she originated the role of Nell Hornby (Twiggy’s mother) in the world premiere of Close Up – The Twiggy Musical at the Menier Chocolate Factory, which was written and directed by Ben Elton. Hannah Jane has worked with Ben a number of times including playing Scaramouche in the original cast of We Will Rock You in the West End for nearly four years and Mrs. Scratchit in the Christmas Special of Upstart Crow. In the original cast of TABOO, Hannah Jane played Virus/understudy Kim and worked with Boy George at The Venue (now known as Leicester Square Theatre), and in the original West End cast of RENT, she understudied Maureen at the Shaftesbury Theatre. On screen, Hannah Jane played Mum (Sharon) in the CBBC series Millie Inbetween and reprised her role in 2019 for the BBC iPlayer spin-off Flatmates, and as a voiceover artist, she records for shows including the Netflix animated series Little Baby Bum: Music Time as Timberley Wimberley, Rhyme Time Town as Mumpty Dumpty, Polly Chipmunk and Ms. Moon. As well as her acting projects, Hannah Jane records her own podcast The Aliens Are Coming, Look Busy… and as a writer, she has written, alongside her friend Andrew Holdsworth, a one-woman musical whodunnit JELLYFISH, which is based on a true story and has an upcoming release, and She Devil!, which they wrote alongside Nigel Planer. Answering our questions, Hannah Jane chatted to us about playing Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Norwich Theatre Royal, being in the cast of last year’s production of Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!, her time in the original casts of Close Up – The Twiggy Musical, We Will Rock You, TABOO and RENT, and her screen work including Millie Inbetween.

What can audiences expect from your portrayal of Fairy Godmother in Norwich Theatre Royal’s pantomime Cinderella?

I hope to bring genuine warmth, a little of my own heart, a smidgen or so of comedy, and lots of fun.

Is there anything you enjoy most about being part of pantomime season?

Pantomime is literally the most Christmassy thing you can do! I particularly love the shows between Boxing Day and New Year when your friends and family are maybe feeling sluggish, and you’re still fa la la la la-ing away. I find it makes me go into the new year quite energised.

What is it like working with your fellow cast members including Georgia May Foote (Cinderella), Danny Hatchard (Prince Charming), Joe Tracini (Buttons) and Jeevan Braich (Dandini) and reading Joe’s script?

Wonderful! It’s a lovely bunch of lovely people! And Joe’s script is quite simply the best in the country.

How is it interacting with a pantomime audience and seeing families getting involved?

I love it!! You don’t often get to break the fourth wall as an actor so I relish it.

What are pantomimes like to rehearse for and how did you prepare to play Fairy Godmother?

Pantomimes are a race to the end! You have to jump in feet first at rehearsals, keep your vitamin C up and ride that glitter bus all the way to its final destination – January! It’s a special kind of marathon!

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Cinderella at Norwich Theatre Royal this festive season, which is booking until Sunday 4th January 2026?

Don’t miss out, it’s very magical, I promise!!! The cast is amazing.

How was it joining the cast of Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! for their West End transfer at Ambassadors Theatre last year and was there anything that drew you to the production?

I loved the idea of two ordinary women becoming famous for their homemade podcast, plus it was produced by the incredible Francesca Moody (Fleabag) and directed by award-winning choreographer Fabian Aloise (Sunset Boulevard), so the team and cast involved was outstanding.

In 2023, you originated the role of Nell Hornby in the world premiere of Close Up – The Twiggy Musical at the Menier Chocolate Factory (which was written and directed by Ben Elton), what was it like getting into character as Nell and how was your time in the show?

I absolutely loved playing Twiggy’s mum Nell! Of course, Twiggy is an icon!! The book and music were both insanely good and Twiggy was heavily involved and often very moved by my portrayal, which was wonderful. Her mum had been subjected to controversial electric shock treatment, as was my own grandmother, so I also found it very personal.

What are some of your favourite memories from playing Scaramouche in the original cast of We Will Rock You (also written by Ben Elton) at the Dominion Theatre in the West End?

Where do I start? Performing with Queen on Parkinson was very, very special. Playing in the garden of Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Royal Jubilee with Brian (May) on top on the roof was pretty spectacular! Meeting Liza Minnelli backstage one night after the show, and getting cards from Emma Thompson and Lulu! But mainly just getting to BE Scaramouche every night, and help shape and create her, and share her with thousands of people every single night for nearly four years, it was beyond a privilege.

How do you find the experience working with Ben Elton, and can you tell us about your further projects with him, which include Upstart Crow, The Wright Way and Blessed?

I love working with Ben. He is a bona fide genius, and of course he is a comedy legend.

I was so thrilled to be a part of The Wright Way as it was filmed in front of a live studio audience like the old days, so that was a real buzz! And I was equally excited to be in Upstart Crow because it’s an outstanding piece of work, with incredible star actors in it, so to play Mrs. Scratchit in the Christmas Special was so exciting for me. I feel very privileged to have been in a few of his projects, it’s wonderful to have a writer champion your specific talents.

I’ve just finished reading his autobiography, What Have I Done? – well worth a read to just remind yourself how much a part of comedy history in this country Ben Elton is.

What was it like playing Virus/understudy Kim in the original cast of TABOO at Leicester Square Theatre (then known as The Venue) and understudying Maureen in the original West End cast of RENT at the Shaftesbury Theatre?

Understudying and playing Maureen alongside some of the original Broadway cast was a dream come true! I was mad about RENT from the minute I heard it, I just knew it was me!

Playing Virus was a scream! So much fun to work with Matt Lucas and Luke Evans no less! I left to play Scaramouche weeks after opening in TABOO, but working with Boy George for even a short while was another pinch me moment.

How was it playing Mum in the CBBC series Millie Inbetween and what was it like reprising the role as Sharon for episodes of the BBC iPlayer spin-off Flatmates in 2019?

I loved playing Sharon!! I also loved filming in beautiful Northern Ireland, I think the show resonated with so many young people. A modern blended family you could identify with. I still have young people today tell me how much they loved the show. Special memories for me.

What do you enjoy about recording for the Netflix animated series Little Baby Bum: Music Time as Timberley Wimberley and Rhyme Time Town as Mumpty Dumpty, Polly Chipmunk and Ms. Moon?

Voicing cartoons is so much fun! You get to be silly in so many ways and really use your vocal skills. I also really enjoy the process of watching the animation build up. It takes so many people to create a cartoon, it’s really interesting to be a part of.

We understand you host your own podcast – The Aliens Are Coming, Look Busy…, can you tell us about this?

I do!!! You’ll have to tune in!!! https://open.spotify.com/episode/7lznXQu5Ije9lOORqgNNdo?si=mtw7DGRGSe2WtkoKDguTdg

In a nutshell, my appendix burst on stage last year, mid song! And after a ‘moment’  on the operating table, this unexpected podcast was born! I’m actually particularly proud of it, it is taking me places I never dreamed I would go.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

I can’t even remember it’s that long ago! I’ve just always known it’s what I wanted to do. My mum took me to a drama class for fun and I guess I decided to stay. My family are all artistic. My sister is a renowned TV producer, my cousin is a famous author, another an artist, my mum could have been an opera singer I reckon!

How do you like to spend your free time?

I do free hand embroidery! I love it! You will find me stitching backstage when I’m not on!

What are you hoping 2026 brings for you and do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about?

Yes. JELLYFISH is coming soon! A one-woman musical whodunnit! Based on a true story about a woman who survived falling off a cruise ship! I’ve been writing with my genius composer and record producer friend Andrew Holdsworth for over 20 years, we met at a session in Abbey Road Studios. We’ve also written She Devil! together alongside Nigel Planer, watch this space!

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