Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Theatre Severn pantomime Cinderella opens

The curtain has gone up on Shropshire's record-breaking panto – with up to 40,000 people expected to visit Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn to enjoy Cinderella.

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The show has been written by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution, the same team that brought the venue's previous box office smash hits Dick Whittington, Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty. Last year's pantomime was almost a complete sell-out and was seen by more than 38,000 people, so early booking is recommended.

Show star Brad Fitt said things were going well. "We only met a short time before the curtain went up but it's been good. I took the actors and we spent four days in the theatre with the set and put it altogether. We did a technical run, photographs and then it was ready for the audience – the audience is the final character in any panto."

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Brad said he loved the family atmosphere at the show.

"I think it's the one time of year when there's something for everyone. I speak to people a lot who have fallen out of panto because their children have grown up. But I ask what's stopping them from coming and they realise they'd have fun if they returned. It's for people of all ages, we have hens and all sorts. It's not just for kids. Pople have an image of panto from the 70s or 80s when it got a bit jaded and formulaic but producers have upped their game. If people have fallen out of love with it, it's time to rekindle that old flame."

Matt Daines, who plays one of the Ugly Sisters, said he was having a blast. "I'd never been to Shrewsbury before but we've been out and had a few drinks. I've had a little walk along the river. The theatre is stunning, it's a really lovely venue. The staff are a credit to it. It's a beautiful theatre. There's a great setting on the side of the river, which is great. And the town is lovely. It's great to be here to work.

"The show is for everybody, young and old. There's jokes in there for the little ones and the adults too. That's what panto is all about. It's scripted very well. There's innuendos that only certain people will get. It's family fun. The cast is getting on brilliantly. We've gelled, that will come across on stage in the way that we perform.

"Even though it's children-based, it's fun for all the family. It gives people the chance to have fun for a night and not feel silly about being stupid."

Victoria McCabe, who plays Cinderella, said the show was a great way to herald Christmas.

"It's going brilliantly. This is truly magical. I've done quite a few pantos and I've loved them all. But this one, without giving any secrets away, is really lovely, it has such a lovely message and all the magic. Kids will be enthralled. Hopefully there's a nice message in there for everybody. The music is great. There lots of dancing, it's really high energy. We don't want to give anything away. I've been through town and Shrewsbury is very enchanting, I can't think of a better place to do panto. There's so much history."

By Andy Richardson

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