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CINDERELLA - Panto Report
February 97 - issue 27

After months of preparation under the directing of Helen Shirtcliffe The Nottingham Road Players made another successful night at Nottingham Road Methodist Church with the performance of Cinderella, which took place this year in Feb., and after a successful Panto. in 95 [Aladdin], Players were looking forward to a mighty successful year with most of the cast from Aladdin taking part with additional New ones. With updated Lighting, sound and F/X (which was highly successful in Aladdin) Cinderella was expected to be high and full house on all nights was also expected, this was confirmed as Sat Sold out two weeks after the tickets went on sale, Thurs. and Fri. were to follow.

Tracy Hooton was Cinderella and David Shirtcliffe who took on the part of Buttons, a change to his usual past character, Helen Shirtcliffe was Prince Charming and Diane Meakin as Dandini, Michael Slater and Michael Brueck were transformed into the ugly sisters - Ermytrude and Florabelle, Helen Hardy was the Godmother, and Mr Cash & Carry played by Barry Sutcliffe and Roger Hardy, plus many other members of the church taking part, while the younger members of the church took stage in the first half dressed as woodland animals, with the older children having the spot light turned on them when they appeared in Madam Fifi's (Liz Brueck) fashion Parade, compared by Simon Horniblow.

Sound and lighting was put even further with a more better approach, using the back room to allow more people. A sound system, computer, and flood lights were used to create special effects and feelings, all controlled by Ian H. and Paul P. on the sound, F/X and spotlight with Brian Barker operating the camera. Ian Slater was controlling the backstage scenery, main lighting and prop with the help of Ivan, Michael, Robert and others. This year two video cameras were set up at two angles to get a more better performance on video.

All three nights were well attended with almost a full house on Saturday, laughter and cheers were all around with the audience joining in with the cast and songs, children were also joining in with many going onto the stage. This year we got the audience joining in more, and Friday audience defiantly did.

As Saturday is known as fun night were things can happen unexpectedly with added scripts, lines or props, meant a full house and a audience that was defiantly alive as all joined in with singing and laughter, especially the ugly sisters and many others who gave a star performance,

There was also a surprise in one scene which all except Roger Hardy (Mr Carry), who was celebrating his 50th birthday that weekend, so a surprise announcement by all cast was made.

After the Panto most got together at Roger Hardy's house for a drink and food plus plenty of talk.