December 2000
Directed by Jude Flanagan and Ian H
The really good stories never leave us. Amongst them is Cinderella which is without doubt one of the world's favourite stories. What makes it so special is that it is a universal story which appeals as much to adults as it does to children. This version of Cinderella has been written by Norman Robbins with an adult audience very much in mind!
Cinderella is a well-known classic folk tale of a young woman who is victimised and despised by the daughters of her father's second wife.
One of the most popular versions of Cinderella was written by Charles Perrault in 1697. The popularity of his tale was due to his additions to the story including the pumpkin, the fairy-godmother and the introduction of glass slippers. It was widely believed that in Perrault's version, Cinderella wore fur boots ("pantoufle en vair"), and that when the story was translated into English, vair was mistaken for verre (glass), resulting in glass slippers and that the story has remained this way ever since. Another well-known version was recorded by the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the 19th century. In this version, the stepsisters try to trick the prince by cutting off parts of their feet in order to get the slipper to fit. The prince is alerted by two pigeons who peck out the stepsisters' eyes, thus sealing their fate as blind beggars for the rest of their lives.
Insiders was a drama company formed by Bench Theatre which included inmates and tutors from Kingston Prison, Portsmouth.
This play was staged in Kingston Prison with Bench Theatre collaborating with inmates and tutors from Kingston Prison, Portsmouth as "Insiders' Drama Company".
Cinderella | Jude Flanagan |
Dandini | Jim L |
Buttons | Chris H |
Baron Hardup | Judy Bodenham |
Baroness Hardup | Tim Taylor |
Asphyxia | Stuart M |
Euthanasia | Fin S |
Ammer | Sacha Armstrong |
Tongs | Bill K |
Prince Charming | Sue Dawes |
Fairy Godfather | David Hill |
Major Domo | Rob K |
Leftie | Dom S |
Righty | Darren P |
Ballet Dancer 1 | Jim F |
Ballet Dancer 2 | Gary S |
Ballet Dancer 3 | Gary B |
Directors | Jude Flanagan Ian H |
Stage Manager | Sid K |
Assistant Stage Manager | Andy W Charlie S |
Sound Lighting | Sid K |
Costumes | Carol Gresty Trish Rose |
Scenery and Props painter | Charlie S |
Set Design | Sid K |
Props Carpenter | Derek F |
Prompt | Dorothy Stevenson |
We all remember stories from out childhood. Some were read to us, other we saw enacted before our very eyes. The really good stories never leave us. Amongst them is Cinderella which is without doubt one of the world's favourite stories. What makes it so special is that it is a universal story which appeals as much to adults as it does to children. This version, known as Cinderella-Men in Tights, is performed by the Insiders Drama Company with the special help of, and in conjunction with The Bench Theatre Company.
With the ugly sisters renamed Euthanasia and Asphyxia, this version of Cinderella has been written by Norman Robbins with an adult audience very much in mind! But the original story line remains uncluttered, and romantic interest is as strong as ever. If tonight's performance is anything as funny as it was during rehearsals, you will enjoy our version of Cinderella just as much as we have. This is the third stage production performed by the Insiders Drama Company and it promises to be as good if not better than the previous two. Enjoy yourselves. Please remember that we all very much value your written comments, and we hope that you would like to become our regular supporters.
Jude Flanagan and Ian H