Cinderella

Pantomime by Jon Keen

SIBLING RIVALRY: In the Theatre Now! production of Cinderella, Maisie and Sadie, the ugly stepsisters, played by Nicole Narbonne [left] and Tricia Andrews, can’t imagine that Cinderella, played by Jessica Medford, could ever receive an invitation to the ball.

Directed by Tina Thompson, and with a cast of 24, Cinderella was a great fun for all.

Pantomime set for Cinderella

Half Theatre Now! opening night proceeds will go to Haiti relief Published Powell River Peak: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 9:14 AM PST It’s pantomime time once again in Powell River.

In early February, Theatre Now! will present the traditional English pantomime, Cinderella, complete with singing, dancing, helpful little mice, a playful bear and, as always, a little magic.

“Powell River audiences get right into the spirit,” said Barb Richards, who plays the Fairy Godmother. “We can count on them cheering for the good guys and doing everything they can to confuse the baddies, in this case, a pair of muddle-headed Revenue Canada tax collectors.”

“Yes,” agreed stage manager Stephanie Adelberg, “but how they’ll react to the hilarious ugly stepsisters is anybody’s guess.”

Admission to the pantomime is by donation. “This way, everyone can afford to join in the fun,” said Cameron Reid, who plays the penniless Baron Hardup.

Cast members share in the fun too. “I like this even more than our last play,” said 10-year-old Ceilidh Haddock, who plays a variety of roles.

“Ceilidh is doing so well, she’s standing in for one of the tax collectors on opening night,” said director Tina Thompson. For the other performances, Ceilidh will play a villager, a sunflower and a guest at the royal ball.

Jenn Haddock, Ceilidh’s mother, is also involved in the production. “It’s quite a challenge,” she said, “since I play the prince who falls in love with Cinderella.”

It is a pantomime convention for a woman to play the male lead. In a similar twist, Brian Liddle will play the part of Baroness Hardup.

By a surprising coincidence, Ballet Jorgen will perform its version of Cinderella a few days after the pantomime. “I guess there’s a lot of magic in town that week,” said Theatre Now! producer Nicole Narbonne. “Fairy godmothers coming out of the woodwork.”

The production team will donate half the opening night proceeds to a charity for Haitian relief. “Travellers to Haiti always exclaim at the song and laughter among the people there, despite all their hardships,” said Hilary Bruhn, production accountant. “So it seems somehow fitting that a little of our song and laughter should go towards helping them.”

Cinderella, by Jon Keen, will have three performances at the Evergreen Theatre. Evening shows will be at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, February 5 and 6. On Sunday, February 7, there will be a 1 pm matinee.