Emma Cunniffe Celebrates 50 Years of Frodsham Panto

As Frodsham Pantomime celebrate their 50th anniversary, actress Emma Cunniffe has reflected on her time in the show, the impact it has had on her successful career and the fond memories she has of taking part, alongside her wonderful parents.

Emma’s first ever performance was Dick Whittington when she was 7 years old, but her earliest panto memory is watching her dad play Baron Hardup in Cinderella in 1979, alongside actress and TV director, Julia Ford, who played Cinderella.

Emma says:

“Seeing my dad, Frank, in panto, made me want to be part of it. He was brilliant! He was one of the first cast members of Frodsham Panto and played several roles. He was so funny and got involved with all the panto spirit! We did a few pantos together, such happy memories.”

“My mum, June, was a wonderful singer and sang a solo in Goldilocks and the Three Bears in 1987. She played the Queen Bee and sang ‘It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that sting’ She was a real star, they both were.  Seeing them perform was a total joy.”

As Emma took the lead in Little Red Riding Hood in 1984, Gary Barlow – another Frodsham Panto success – joined her on stage.

Emma recalls:

“Frodsham panto helped me so much. Through panto, I learned how to follow a script, tell a story, portray a character, and perform to an audience.  My first professional job after college was panto at Salisbury Playhouse. Playing Sleeping Beauty, I used all the skills that I had learned through my years of Frodsham Panto.  As I walked towards the spinning wheel, I heard the very lively, invested audience getting drawn into the storyline – the Frodsham community had done just the same!”

Emma remembers Cowards Hotpot between shows, fabulous costumes, wonderful hand painted sets, seven shows in a week, the community song – all traditions that still happen today! 

The success of pantomime in Britain is unique, but undeniable.  Every year, families across the nation attend theatres to shout and scream at the ‘baddies’, applaud and whoop at the ‘goodies’ and laugh out loud at the double entendres that fly over little one’s heads. Emma’s experience, and indeed the experience of Frodsham Panto’s current cast and crew, demonstrates that the success of it all isn’t just in the show itself, but the family connections, community feeling and experiences it creates, for those who take part.

Peter Pan is running from 4th -10th January 2026 at Frodsham Community Centre.

Come and celebrate 50 years of community pantomime in Frodsham.

More details here:

Frodsham Panto Group event tickets from TicketSource.

Pictured - Emma Cunniffe.