November 8, 2006
By Tabisa Mntengwana
POOR Cinderella - stuck at home cleaning the house while her stepmother and ugly stepsisters go to the ball. But her fairy godmother has other plans, all involving the handsome prince.
The People's Theatre gives a contemporary spin to the classic tale of Cinderella in its year-end production. The young heroine is treated like a slave by her stepmother and ugly stepsisters, Poison and Ivy. She is forced to cook and clean and is not allowed out or to have any friends.
She desperately wants to go to the prince's ball, and her fairy godmother comes to her rescue. The well-loved rags-to-riches tale has an updated edge, with music arranged by musical director Connie Bentlage.
Bentlage incorporates several modern pop hits, including a hilarious delivery of the Pussycat Dolls' song Don't Cha performed by the ugly sisters, and a company delivery of the all-time favourite You Make Me Wanna Shout.
The pop-up theatre set is by Marius Boshoff and the cast includes Dominique Paccaut as Cinderella, Brendon van Rhyn as Prince Charming and Marco Golz and Peter Cornelius as Poison and Ivy. Pieter Bosch-Botha plays Baron Henry and King Ferdinand while Nobuntu Mpahlaza plays the fairy godmother and Queen Victorious.
Cinderella is the fourth production at the People's Theatre this year, following The Gingerbread Man, More Adventures of Noddy and The Ugly Duckling and Other Fabulous Stories.
It is directed and produced by Jill Girard and Keith Smith, with the wardrobe designed specifically for the production by Linda Wilson.
"The show is perfect for a family outing and is fun for everyone," Smith says. "It promises to bring laughter, action, great contemporary songs and a spectacular set."
Cinderella is on at the People's Theatre, at the Civic Theatre complex in Braamfontein, until 24 December. Performances are at 9am and 11am on weekdays during government school terms; at 10.30am and 12.30pm on Saturdays and public holidays; and at 10.30am and 2.30pm during government school holidays from Mondays to Saturdays.
Tickets are available at Computicket or at the People's Theatre ticket office on 011 403 1563. They are R70 for non-members and R45 for club members, with accompanying people paying R60. Special performances are R40 a learner.
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