Cinderella panto returns to Norfolk village - two decades on

New Buckenham Players are staging a modern version of the classic panto at its purpose-built village hall near Attleborough.

It is a far cry from the group’s first performance of Cinderella back in January 1980 which was held in the rickety, old village hall affectionately referred to as 'the tin shed'.

Susie Hilton-Jowett, who played Prince Charming in the first production said: "The old village hall was rather basic.

"To get from one side of backstage to the other you had to run round the outside, in full costume through the rain and puddles.

"Everyone did everything in those days, so in between rehearsing, you'd be painting scenery and sorting costumes. Audience, bar, and cast were all on top of one another, but it was great fun."

After a three-year hiatus, cast and crew are back together for their first Christmas production since before the pandemic.

"We’re back with a vengeance,” said director Clive Rush. "There’s over 50 people involved in this production on and off stage. A great mix of new and old faces.

"Community is very important to me and a Christmas pantomime is a great way to bring the community together. I hope the audiences enjoy Cinderella as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it on."

The poster for this year's production of Cinderella (Image: New Buckenham Players)

The new production is written by Julie Bolton who originally wrote the play for Pulham Market's theatre group.

Cinderella is being performed from Thursday, December 1, to Saturday, December 3, at 8pm at New Buckenham Village Hall.

There is also a Saturday matinée which starts at 2pm. Doors open 30 minutes prior to start of the show. Raffle and refreshments are on sale at all performances. 

Tickets are £10 for adults, £9 for concessions and £5 for under 16s (matinée only). The tickets are available at New Buckenham's Kings Stores and from the Box Office on 01953 860320 or 714893.