Written and Directed by Marion Rogers
The cast are local, the audience are local and the laughter on stage and off was infectious.
The plot line is largely adhered to with Cinders and Buttons and father, as well as name swapping (inspired touch) Prince Charming. Step-mum and ugly sisters providing delicious over the top fun, making sure the audience is fully involved - oh yes we were! And it's behind you!
Prince Charming's secretary Dandini, leading a double life, was a real hit, proving to be the only person possible, with a twinkle in his eye, to get a juicy double entendre out of a courgette. I wonder whether Cinders, not and then losing her slipper was scripted? If so, hats off for biggest laugh of the show!
The panto involved many scene changes. These were handled deftly by intersperced front of tabs activity. Particularly enjoyable were the Health & Safety routines, reminiscing on their closing a long list of pantos for rule infringements and the 'if I were not in pantoland' routine.
The scene settings were magical and it was only after talking to the techies, that I learnt that they were projected - well done.
Special mention to the Safety Curtain at interval, with the scrawled addition of 'Health &'.
Reasonably priced drinks with nibbles on cloth covered tables providing the perfect environment.
Well done cast, technical team and of course Marion Rogers the author and director. You get better every year.
[BA]
This panto marked our first foray into using AI generated backdrops, which were projected on to a screen at the rear of the stage. As well as enabling fast scene changes, this also enabled a truly magical transition between the kitchen and the coach and horses (all AI generated). A separate projector and screen in front of the main curtains were used to project the pre-show Cinderella logo, promo video and 'Health & Safety' curtain.
[MO]
Cast:
Cinderella - Tania Norman
Grizelda - Peter Cox
Baron Hardup - Rob Good
Prince Charming - Julia Halls
Buttons - Dan Ryan
Histeria - Jon Norman
Lucricia - Dominic Clifford
Dandini / Secretary - Nick Cooper
Fairy Godmother - Anita Prior
Mr. Health - Paul Cox
Mr. Safety - Sam Taroni
Max the mirror - Graham Bennell