Cinderella

This was a lovely way to welcome in the Christmas Season.  Cinderella is such a well known and well loved panto but it comes up fresh every time.  The programme invited us all to the Royal Ball which we looked forward to in anticipation but before this could happen we were taken directly to the Fairy Godmother’s House where we met Wendy Clare – a really lovely Fairy Godmother and we knew that whatever happened in the meantime, there would be a happy ending.

Many lovely songs were performed along the way and the standard of singing both from principals and chorus was very high, accompanied by recorded music which worked very well.

All the usual characters were in place.  Becca Huggett gave us a delightful  Cinderella whose Prince Charming was played by Judith Foot.  Judith also played Buttons and actually directed the panto – all done in excellent fashion.  Then we come to the Ugly Sisters!  Sarah Jones as Gwyneth and Tony Garwood as Gwendoline both gave exquisitely nasty performances – poor Cinderella.  Her existence went from bad to worse not helped at all by her stepmother (Baroness Stoneybroke played by Georgie Bancroft) and Lynn Enever as Baron Stoneybroke – good performances from both.

Panto always has to have the funny duo and this was provided by Nigel Enever as Sergeant Letsby-Avenue and Michelle Roman as PC99, causing many laughs at their antics.

Nasim Chillcott was a fine Dandini and the cast was completed by Jess Collier as Burglar Bill and the chorus, all adding to the fun.

The Bond School of Dance – choreographed by Nikki Bond, who also provided the costumes for the dancers, were a really lovely addition to the proceedings.

The scenery was well handled, made by Michelle Roman and Nasim Chillcott who took this task over at very short notice.  All those who worked backstage in any capacity are to be congratulated for making the panto run smoothly and looking good and we must never forget those working front of house – welcoming, providing refreshments and selling raffle tickets.  Thank you all.

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