Cast announcement for Princess and The Frog

27 Nov 2023 | Press Release

This Christmas celebrate the warmth, fun and joy that friendship can bring with a brand-new production at Hull Truck Theatre! From the team that brought you Jack, Mum & The Beanstalk, Tortoise & The Hare and A Great Christmas Adventure, Princess and The Frog will hop on stage in the Godber Studio from Wednesday 13 – Sunday 31 December 2023.

Designed for children aged 3+ and their families, this new festively fun adventure will encourage audiences to explore what it means to be truly accepted for who you really are. The production is both written and directed by Hull Truck Theatre’s Associate Director, Tom Saunders.

The story centres around Princess Lily, but Lily isn’t your average Princess. She’s a tree climbing, Dr Martens wearing, football loving Princess. As the night of the Castle’s annual Christmas ball arrives, she’s expected to brush her hair, keep herself clean, pop on a posh frock and most importantly…keep out of trouble! As she tries to amuse herself in the Castle grounds, she befriends an unsuspecting frog. But there’s more to this frog than meets the eye, and Lily is about to witness a true Christmas miracle unfold right before her very eyes.

Lily will be played by Petra Joan Athene, a recent graduate from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, alongside Lancashire actor Jason Connor who will perform the character of Frog with spirit, slime and sparkle.

Petra’s Recent Theatre Credits include: The Hare, the Moon and the River' and '100 Seconds to Midnight (Tidal Tales Collective). Credits whilst training include: Out Of Love (Wardrobe Theatre), Emilia, Robin Hood and Marian, and Catastrophe Bay (Bristol Old Vic).

TV credit includes: Rhyme Time Town (Netflix Original). 

Jason is a partially sighted actor and theatre maker who earlier this year played Piggy in the touring production of Lord of the Flies. He recently graduated from the Arts University of Bournemouth and during his studies he was involved in an original devised show: Tectonic and short film, Nothing Happened.

Tom Saunders, Associate Director at Hull Truck Theatre said:

“I am delighted to be once again creating a magical show for young children at Hull Truck Theatre this Christmas. The production is going to be full of songs with opportunities for the children in the audience to join in, and also lots of magic! I think the children are going to absolutely love Lily (our Princess) and our fabulous Frog. Seeing the children’s eyes grow wide, their gasps, laughs and smiles during the Christmas production is always the highlight of my year.”

All performances have a relaxed attitude to noise and movement in the theatre space for Princess and The Frog, specifically designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment and include additional lighting and a friendly attitude to noise and movement in the auditorium.

Tickets for Princess and The Frog are now on sale via the Hull Truck Theatre website: Princess and the Frog | HullTruckTheatre or by calling the Box Office on 01482 323638. Recommended age guidance: 3+.

There will be a BSL performance also available on Saturday 23 December at 1.15pm.