In May 2026, I joined the cast of Emma Rice's UK Tour of Malory Tower, playing the role of Gwendoline Lacey.
​"Gwendoline gets a rich portrayal from Soden that somehow manages to be comprehensively horrible while also hinting at the damage underneath - no mean feat."- ReviewsHub
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"For York audiences, however, there was an extra reason to celebrate. York Theatre Royal pantomime favourite Anna Soden stepped into the role of Gwendoline Lacey at short notice and delivered a superb performance as the spoiled, entitled and wonderfully exasperating schoolgirl. Soden never missed a beat, making the role entirely her own despite having limited time to prepare"- YorkMix
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"A standout performance comes from Anna Soden in the titular role of Gwendoline Lacey. Having recently joined the touring company, Soden brings both confidence and authenticity to the character. Despite Gwendoline's often spoiled and headstrong nature, she imbues the role with warmth and sincerity, particularly in moments exploring the characters relationship with her parents. Soden strikes an effective balance between Gwendoline's flaws and vulnerabilities, ensuring the audience remains invested in her journey throughout her time at Mallory Towers. Her performance provides a strong emotional anchor for the production and allows audiences to experience the excitement, challenges, and growth of the character alongside her."- Adventures In Theatreland.
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December 2025 I was featured in The Guardian, talking about panto going horribly wrong- you can read it here.
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I absolutely love being in The Guardian because lots of people tell my mum "oooh I saw Anna was in The Guardian the other day", and it makes me feel VERY famous and successful.
Here's a very nice write up of my show "It Comes Out Your Bum at York Theatre Royal. October 2025!
"The pace was snappy, the tone was chatty, the humour batty, peppered with bursts of satirical songs, each preceded by an exhortation for the tech desk to “Hit it”.
And hit the mark, she did. On a night of the scatological, Anna scattered logical thoughts from her playful “brain-bum” about the “been-there-done-that” universality of her subject matter; so much so, she should give herself a PooHD for her “toilet humour”. And there wasn’t a party pooper in the house."
Steve and Steff Forever, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, summer 2025
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Anna Soden caught the character of Steff with laser precision. Besides being an actor, Soden is also a comedian, and you can tell – her comic timing was meticulous. And she totally caught the restless energy, almost childlike playfulness but underlying insecurity of her character. It was a life affirming performance.-
The Cambridge Critique
Here I am in Suffolk magazine. I was surprised to be counted as a "Suffolk Person" being from Yorkshire and not living anywhere near Suffolk, but I am flattered they'd want me, and was happy with this full page spread of my face.
Rock and Roll Panto at Leeds City Varieties, 2024-2025
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" The wonderful Fairy Aubergine, played by the mega-talented Anna Soden. Her fairy is kind and bubbly, and she delivers incredible vocal performances on challenging songs. But more impressively, there doesn’t seem to be a musical instrument she can’t play as she slips ably between the character and the band."
The Reviews Hub
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I wrote a "My List" for the Yorkshire post in June 2024.
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I'm sure nobody in Yorkshire cares what box set I'm watching at the moment - but they printed it anyway! You can read the full thing here if you like!
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Jack and The Beanstalk, York Theatre Royal, 2023
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"The unexpected stand out performance was that of Anna Soden playing Dave the cow. Soden gives the most gorgeous representation of a cow who is clever, brave and has feelings – Dave the cow is not only able to speak in this production, she can sing brilliantly and play the trumpet too. Soden builds instant rapport with the audience and turns a potentially 2D bit part into a key role".- The Reviews Hub.
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Standout performer for me was York’s own Anna Soden as Dave the Talking Cow. She was funny, feisty and her voice was amazing, a wonderful performer.- FairyPoweredProductions
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“Soden’s Dave demonstrates why such an approach works so well; the audience develop a much stronger relationship with the character, which can express its feelings through spoken language and be involved in greater sections of the narrative. Soden is superb as the lovable Dave and has a real gift for comedy, making her the pantomime Comic at times.”- British Theatre Guide.
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Aladdin, Derby Arena, Little Wolf, 2022
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"Anna Soden delights in the twin roles of the Genie and Siri of the Ring, switching quickly from one to the other."-
British Theatre Guide
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"Anna Soden is a particular highlight. She plays the Genie of the Lamp, Siri of the Ring and PC Brigade... Soden playing both the Genie and Siri is made a joke of many times and it’s very entertaining to see how she navigates her way round playing two characters whom other people want to speak to at the same time."-
WestEndBest Friend
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Kinky Boots, New Wolsey/ Queen's Theatre Hornchurch 2022
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"Cyndi Lauper's score was performed brilliantly by the troupe of talented actor-musicians, honouring the essence of the original, whilst injecting a freshness into it"
What's on Stage.
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Rapunzel, The Theatre Chipping Norton, 2021
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"Anna Soden as both Max and Waylon the Weasel has to be seen."
-Ox In A Box
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“Max, played by Anna Soden, is outstanding”
- Oxford Mail.
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Anna Soden has an amazing turn as both scout extraordinaire Max and crazed weasel Waylon-
-Muddy Stillettos
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"A pugilistic weasel (Anna Soden, delightful.)"
-The Telegraph
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York Theatre Royal's Travelling Pantomime, 2020
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"Soden’s rapping, funky, blue and pink-haired Fairy is more likely to hit the bass line than wave a wand, as flashy as her lit-up boots."-
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"Anna Soden’s fabulous Fairy entertained us with her rhyming raps, as well as playing a variety of instruments live"
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Heaven's Gate Tour, 2020
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"Anna Soden is Tinaodie, a loveable Baldrick-level imbecile who takes credit for much of the silly humour on offer here. Soden’s role is perhaps the most demanding too in that she must strike a balance between being the endearing twit and the tragic fool who has no knowledge of the wrongs inflicted upon them. "
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https://alwaystimefortheatre.com/2020/02/01/heavens-gate-when-the-end-of-life-is-lift-off/
Sleeping Beauty- Liverpool Everyman, 2019-2020
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"Anna Soden is practically perfect in every way"- The Stage
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"Anna Soden channels both her nanny namesake and Violet Elizabeth as prim, bossy Fairy Poppins"- Liverpool Echo
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https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/everyman-rock-n-roll-panto-17328612
Romeo and Juliet- Mad Blood Stirring
China Plate UK Tour, 2019
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""There’s an emo quality to Anna Soden’s Juliet – she channels her moods into her electric guitar – fittingly full-blooded interpretations, balancing convincing chemistry with lucid verse." - The Stage
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https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2019/romeo-juliet-mad-blood-stirring-review-albany-london/
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http://curiousmum.co.uk/reviews/romeo-and-juliet-mad-blood-stirring
Return To Elm House- Battersea Arts Centre, 2018
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"Brilliant".- The Guardian
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https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/dec/10/return-to-elm-house-review
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https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2018/return-elm-house-review-battersea-arts-centre-london/
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Nele Needs A Holiday: The Musical 2018
Big In Belgium/ Richard Jordan Productions/ Ovalhouse/ Theatre Royal Plymouth/ Summerhall
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"Anna Soden and Hannah Davis supporting on drums, guitar and keyboards... satirising posh flatmates, possessive boyfriends and loudmouth agents, it survives on strong musical arrangements, good humour and quirky charm. - The Guardian
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"(Anna Soden and Hannah Davies are) talented and impressive, as they weave in and out of the narrative, playing as many characters as they do instruments"- Edfest Magazine
http://www.edfestmag.com/general/review-nele-needs-a-holiday-the-musical-at-summerhall/
