The
classic fairytale, with all the traditional trimmings of the glass
slipper, the ugly sisters and the fairy godmother, plus a few new
twists including the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk, and all
wrapped up in an ABBA soundtrack.
Cast
Buttons
Karrie Shield Giant
Terry Clark Velcro
Ken Beer Zip
Cath Staton Cinderella
Sarah Lawes Baroness
Hardup Brenda West Agnetha
Paul West Frida
Joseph Hughes Baron
Hardup Barry West Dandini
Phil Kohler Prince
Charming Guy Bishop Fairy
Godmother Chris Ward King
Rat John Staton Prat
Ruth Bishop Brat
Ken Beer Creampuff
Cath Staton
Crew
Producer
Mark Frampton Co-producer
Ruth Bishop Stage
Manager Jim Melville Set
Design Teresa Coles McGee Set
Construction Jim Melville, Chris & Christine Sutton,
Chris & Ian Squire, Mike Calvert & Teresa Coles McGee Sound
Chris Pearson Lighting
Ian Squire Props
Jill Mowlam & Christine Sutton Prompt
Hazel Galvin Mrs
Piano Lady Jenny Smith Front
of House Chris Squire Refreshments
Chris Squire Ticket
Sales Ken Beer & Hazel Galvin Publicity
Joseph Hughes
The
Players billed this as a "traditional pantomime" and
that's exactly what it was and all the better for it.
I
had not seen a pantomime for some time and had forgotten what a
peculiar institution the genre is, but was soon hissing and booing
along with the rest of a packed village hall.
Writer
and producer Mark Frampton should be commended for a night of awful
Carry On-style double-entendres - often verging on the very edge of a
parental guidance certificate - some of the most pleasingly
unrealistic drag acts seen this side of Bangkok and enough 'oh no it
isn'ts' to bring the many children in the audience to near hysteria.
The
story is age-old, but performed here with some very effective and
very silly modern touches, from Chris Ward's motorcycling fairy
godmother and Dame Edna voice to Prince Charming number two and
ex-chiropodist, Dandini.
Sarah
Lawes was Cinders herself, suitably repressed by menacing Baroness
Hardup and hairy stepsisters Agnetha and Frida.
All
was acted in suitably extravagant style to an Abba soundtrack, with
good performances from across the cast and a star turn from
Cubbington youngsters Samantha and friends - invited up on stage to
sing The Wheels on the Bus... It helped this panto to hit the spot.
It
also reinforced the early impression that community spirit was an
integral part of the plot for this production and this excellent and
tight-knit theatre group. 4/5
