From Southfork to Cinderella: Dallas star Linda Gray gets panto fever

 
Fairy godmother: Linda Gray (Picture: Craig Sudgen)

Dallas star Linda Gray has told of her disappointment that the revival of the classic Eighties TV show was axed — but said it had offered her the chance of a new challenge in panto.

Speaking as she prepares for her official first night as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella tomorrow, the actress, famous for playing Sue Ellen, the alcoholic wife of Larry Hagman’s character JR, said it was “the perfect time” to receive the offer.

Revival: with Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy

In October the series, which originally ran from 1978 to 1991 and was revived two years ago, was cancelled again.

“I wish we could have done another 13 years but it’s a different world now,” Gray, 74, said. “Sure, I was disappointed. But isn’t this lovely that one door closes and another door opens?”

She said her British agent had kept telling her about pantomime, which is not performed in America: “He went on and on telling me about this tradition and I thought, ‘What a concept’. I love London so I thought it would be a wonderful experience. Everything was new to me. But the rehearsals were so much fun. And it is so charming. My costume is beyond gorgeous.”

Cinderella is at the New Wimbledon Theatre until January 11. Visit atgtickets.com/wimbledon

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