Cinderella

Back to Panto – what a joy and what better panto to choose than the well loved Cinderella.  We all know the story so well which matters not at all and this production had everything in it for the audience to enjoy.

It all started in the village of Stoneybroke with the appearance of the delightful Fairy Godmother played by Rebecca Tanner who led us into the story.  Then the villagers appeared with Cinderella (a lively performance throughout from Nicola Cullen) and the fun began with the Sue Wood Dancers in excellent form.

Mcauley Parker was the cheeky Buttons -  a part made for audience participation which was achieved in good volume whenever Buttons appeared.  Baron Hardup was played with panache by Ian Parratt and then we met his two stepdaughters, Gertrude and Grizelda (Adam Riggs and Andy Napier) both in very good form and looking wildly wonderful in their many costumes.  Cinderella is very good value panto as you get two Dames for the price of one and these two were certainly very worthwhile.

The two comedy characters, Bodget and Leggett were played in true panto style by Cris Haniver and Linda Kinghorn, both looking very smart in their uniforms despite all the high jinks!

Yvonne Corbishley played Baroness Hardup as a character who really knew what she wanted from the Baron and that was money!  Peter Tucknott as Chambers was at hand to introduce those attending the ball in grand fashion.

Last but certainly not least, the two principal boys, Prince Charming and Dandini both looking as they should in fine swashbuckling fashion played by Helen Griffin and Laura Catchpole extremely well indeed.

Good singing from all and Sue Wood’s choreography was a delight.  Well done to the wardrobe team (Helen Griffin and Laura Catchpole) for costuming everyone in excellent costumes.  These two ladies were pretty busy as they constructed the props too, as well as playing the two Principal Boys!

A lot of work must have gone into providing the attractive set by the set design and construction team, not forgetting those who painted the set.

Musical Director Michelle Radley and her band provided great accompaniment for those performing and thank you so much to Director David Buck, assisted by Laura Catchpole, MD Michelle and Choreographer Sue Wood for putting a lot of hard work into a show for the audiences who were all longing to join in the fun of actually seeing a Pantomime after two long years.  The programme was well laid out and contained a very interesting history of Polegate Drama Group over the last 50 years.  Congratulations on your 50th Family Panto and may there be many more.

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