Medstead Players - 'Cinderella' (1986)
Written by Val Prior (Cinderella script)
Directed by Val Prior
Informality the key to Medstead's Cinderella This was a family show, thoroughly enjoyable both to adults and children, with Buttons and the ugly sisters mixing with the audience and joining in with their fun. At one time, nearly 20 children were on the stage dancing the Birdie Song. It was, indeed, a home grown panto, with Val Prior writing the script and producing it, so that she was able to introduce many local references, which always bring laughter.
There was concentration on dancing and singing, and a great deal of the "Oh, yes you are; Oh, no I'm not" type of comedy. The stage, which had been enlarged, allowed extra room for the dainty young dancers, led by the versatile Kathy Whitcher, and their opening number, in phosphorescent dresses that glowed on the darkened stage, made an impressive start.
The baron, Mike Overy, the down-trodden husband, was completely over-awed by his second wife, played by Pam Kercher who was the mother of the ugly sisters - the gruesome twosome - played with outrageous effrontery by Ann Penn and Dianne Nicholls.
Pam was in great form, overpowering and overdressed, she was a redoubtable foil for her uncontrollable daughters, and a constant thorn in the flesh of the baron.
Buttons was played by Ron Whitcher, who was ideally suited to this type of informal performance. He look the children into his confidence and they gave the right responses as they kept a careful eye on his sweetheart, Cinderella.
The brokers men were Phil Diment and Matthew Parratt, a well matched comic pair, and their little dance together was great fun, though it went on a little too long.
Cinderella, herself, was played with great charm and an air of innocence by Ros Kercher. She had a pleasant singing voice, and was suitably subdued in the kitchen and magnificent in her grey gown in the ballroom scene.
The fairy godmother was a very small part, but Vera Newman performed expertly in the transformation scene. I liked the fanciful manner in which Cinders was taken to the palace in a one-sided Sedan chair.
The prince was played with style by Anita Prior. She was elegant, beautifully dressed in her jewelled doublet and thoroughly at ease in the royal hunt for a bride, aided by loyal companion, Dandini, played by Maggie Hillier.
The idea of the doorman announcing all the guests as they entered the ballroom, was effective and thereby introduced the little dancing girls to the audience by name.
The kitchen set had been well constructed and the lighting and sound effects were good.
Nancy and George Kaluza accompanied all the singing and dancing with professional skill.
The ornamental panels on either side of the stage seemed to add depth and altogether, it was a most successful show.
[NC]
Cast:
Baron Hardup - Mike Overy
Baroness Hardup - Pam Kercher
Emelia Hardup - Ann Penn
Hortensia Hardup - Dianne Nicholls
Cinderella - Ros Kercher
Buttons - Ron Whitcher
Mr. Here - Phil Diment
Me There - Matthew Parratt
Fairy Godmother - Vera Newman
Prince Charming - Anita Prior
Dandini - Maggie Hillier
Principal Dancer - Kathy Whitcher
Chorus: Anita Bone, Heather Coombs, Martin Kercher, Sophia Kimber, Lisa Newman, Rowena Rogers, Rebecca Whitham
Footmen: Karen Wakeman, Tony Newman, Peter Prior
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