THE Belstone Players in their pantomime 'Cinderella' once again showed how fortunate we are to have an amateur group in the district that possesses talented artistes, is developing talent, and assists local charities while continuing the traditions of panto, writes Ursula Radford.
With the captivating young chorus setting the scene, the full house for the company's sixth and final performance, directed by Edwina Hill, was soon responding to a sincere Buttons, played by Robert Reddington, and being introduced to the first of many magical moments of merriment that Snatchett and Grabbitt created with their every appearance.
Rachel Francis and Thelma Reddington excelled as the Brokers men, creating real 'characters' and making much of running gags that increasingly delighted the audience. Laura Cooper, making a charming Cinderella and Sarah Dutfield, confident as her Prince, added colour to the much appreciated show.
Robin Hill and Robert Reddington, the ugly sisters, with exaggerated costumes, hairdos, and comic voices could not match the laid-back comedy that helped Snatchett and Grabbitt rule the roost. The sisters however got close to levelling the score with a rollicking duet that had them sailing 'stately as two galleons' across the stage.
An effervescent Caroline Jones as Lady Greta Overdraft, made her presence felt every time she appeared and was more than capable of bouncing her comedy off her long-suffering and splendidly lacklustre husband played by Ian Solomon.
Sharon Cooper, Kelly Cooper, 'Chunky' Dutfield and Mark Blacksell performed well in their supporting roles in a production that, presented excellently despite stage limitations, also still offered opportunities to young ones to join the fun as villagers, rats and mice and truly scary ghosts.
With ages ranging down to only five years, Luke Wonnacott, Emily Webster, Gabriel Aguilera, Sarah Graham, Amy Cooper, Elona Wonnacott, Madeleine Weaver, Isobel Weaver, Harriet Graham, Isaac Francis, and Amy Cooper, added their own special sparkle that audiences relish and from which adult players can often learn.
The panto was musically helped along by Kath Matthews, assisted on drums and percussion by Finn Francis, and the company were served superbly by its backstage staff that proved capable of controlling spiders, warbling hearts and cunning illusions that added yet more magical moments to a show that certainly sent everyone home very happy indeed.