- Birr Stage
guild Production of Cinderella 2008
- By Fred Boulton
- Birr Stage Guild
got off to a great start to there 50th Anniversary with the
production of the pantomime 'Cinderella', with magical lighting great sound,
and beautiful costumes, and a unique idea of having the backdrop made out of
a book that opens up page by page to show scenery as the panto goes along.
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- The panto was
Directed by John Irwin this was Johns first production and what a great
start it was to his Directing career ably assisted by Musical Director Alan
Recks And Choreographer Sophie Bailey.
- The show got of to
a great start with 'Don’t Stop Me Now' from Queen sung by the Fairy
Godmother and Chorus, and songs from lionel Richie, The Monkees, Spice
Girls, and Beatles, it had the audience clapping along with many songs.
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- Special moment in
the panto were the two Ugly Sisters joined by two Irish dancers to give
there own version of Lord of the Dance Priceless!!! Then there was Dandini
singing a Spice Girls number Wannabe with four dancers dressed in sixties
costumes, and a real funny moment was the two Ugly Sisters getting ready for
the Ball in there dressing room with Buttons and Dandini singing “Your
Beautiful”. One moment during the panto was the transformation of Cinderella
from rags into her lavish ball gown this was done by flashes of light and
dry ice and to this day the audiences are asking us how it was done.
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- A special word has
to be said about Cinderella and Prince Charming with with their rendition of
'It is you I have loved all along.' this was sung so beautifully.
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- The panto finished
up with all the cast on stage singing an dancing to 'Im a Believer' and 'We
go Together' from 'Grease' this had the audiences standing up and joining in
and giving the cast a tremendous ovation every evening.
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- The final words in
the Midland Tribune were “Local talent was seen at is best and the
professional pantos in Dublin and elsewhere would have been hard pressed to
match this.
