Cinderella has been given a welcome twist by Abingdon Drama Club... along with a hefty dose of modernism, writes Richard Wilson

The classic tale of Cinderella is being brought bang up to date in the latest pantomime by Abingdon Drama Club.

Audiences can expect a clash between the generations as Ella and Prince Adam challenge their parents’ traditional values, with plenty of laughs along the way.

Director Liz Adams, who also wrote the script, said: “It’s a 21st century retelling of Cinderella. There’ll be lots of traditional panto elements but with some twists that give a modern take on things.

“I’ve had it in mind to do this for a while now as I wanted to try my hand at writing a full-length play.”

She co-wrote a 45-minute piece of physical theatre called Adrift last year that was presented to club members as part of a series of one act plays. This encouraged her to create the club’s biennial pantomime, with help from an Oxford Playhouse playwriting weekend.

She said: “It’s set in Fairyland in 2014 and there’s a generational conflict in terms of expectations between the prince and his parents.

“His parents are desperate for him to get married, which is why they throw the ball, but he is trying to resist.”

It’s not just the script that incorporates modern elements. There is plenty of technical trickery in store.

“We are using a lot of audiovisual technology. We will use projections, video and even animation,” she said.

“Another great thing is that we have junior members taking part. Out of 17 cast members, we have six teenagers and one university student.

“All of our leading roles are played by teenagers – the prince, Ella and Buttons. The story is about young people growing up and finding their own role in life so it was great to cast people of appropriate age.”

Amber Wyatt heads the cast as Ella, with Harry Naylor playing Prince Adam and Hayley Jones as the unlucky-in- love Buttons.

They are joined by long-standing members, who will play kings and queens, a fairy godmother with a shady business, and a menagerie of talking animals.

“There will be something for everyone. There are traditional elements for younger ones and intelligent humour for adults.”

The play takes place at 7.30pm on Friday to Saturday, January 17–18, and Thursday to Saturday, January 23-25. There are also 2.30pm matinees on Saturday to Sunday, January 18-19, and Saturday, January 25.

Tickets cost £10, with £7 concessions, and a family ticket for two adults and two children costs £30. There are discounts for group bookings.

People can book by calling 08454 636638 or emailing tickets@ unicornboxoffice.org.uk Tickets are also available from The Bookstore in Abingdon.

The panto starts the club’s 70th anniversary.

A varied programme is planned including the premiere of a script by a town playwright and a multimedia all-day extravaganza with acting, dance and music.

The club is tracking down former members to invite them to a party. Club spokesman John Hawkins paid tribute to long-standing member Eileen Bagshaw, who passed away last year.

SEE IT
The play takes place at 7.30pm on January 17-18, and  January 23-25. Tickets cost £10, with £7 concessions, and a family ticket  costs £30. Book on 08454 636638 or email tickets@unicornboxoffice.org.uk
Tickets are also available from The Bookstore in Abingdon.