Families across Oldham and Greater Manchester shall go to the ball at Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s nationally renowned traditional pantomime Cinderella.
The timeless and universal rags to riches story about a girl, a glass slipper and a handsome prince is given the Coliseum treatment; mixing contemporary pop culture and hit sing-along-songs with all the elements of a proper traditional panto.
Prince Charming is throwing a ball and Cinderella would love to go, but her Wicked Stepmother and two Ugly Sisters have other ideas. With the help of a magical Fairy and her best friend Buttons can she escape them and make it to the party on time?
The origins of pantomime date back to the middle ages, taking on board the traditions of the Italian Commedia Dell Arte, the ancient Roman Saturnalia Midwinter Feast, the Italian Night Scenes and British Music Hall. Elements include specific stage entrances for the Villain (stage left) and Good Fairy (stage right), a middle aged man dressed as a woman (Pantomime Dame), a young woman playing the male lead (Principle Boy), a Ghost scene and a generous helping of “Its Behind You” (oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is!).
Cinderella features not one, but two, Pantomime Dames: Fine Time Fontayne and Simeon Truby, who will be playing the Ugly Sisters. Joining them on stage will be Coliseum favourite Sue Devaney (The Kitchen Sink, Our Gracie, Dinnerladies (BBC)) as the Wicked Stepmother, panto regular Richard J Fletcher as Buttons, CBBC’s Wolfblood star Shorelle Hepkins as Cinderella, Mitesh Soni as the Baron, CBeebies Worldwide presenter Nisha Anil as the Fairy / Dandini and Chanté Faucher as Prince Charming.
The Coliseum’s traditional pantomime has been entertaining families of Oldham and beyond for generations. Each year the theatre serves up the perfect panto recipe – excellent actors, singers and dancers dishing out the very best in traditional fun that’s great for kids and not-so-grown-up grown-ups. Add some music, songs and slapstick, plus a sprinkling of fairy dust for the perfect celebration.
Cinderella runs at Oldham Coliseum Theatre from Saturday 10 November 2018 – Saturday 12 January 2019.
