October 10, 2013 1.40 pm This story is over 125 months old

Lincoln Drill Hall launches Cinderella Christmas panto

Will she go to the ball? Lincoln Drill Hall launched their 2013 pantomime Cinderella with a lively taster performance.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln Drill Hall launched their 2013 pantomime Cinderella with a lively taster performance of well-known songs, fun and laughter from colourful cast members.

A group of 27 year 2 pupils from Monks Abbey Primary School were welcomed into the Drill Hall for a snippet show where all enjoyed fun sing-alongs and traditional pantomime scenes.

Cast members appearing at the launch were Alex Taylor-Robertson (Cinderella), Julie Fox (Wicked Stepmother), Matt Hewitt (Buttons) and Natalie Hayes-Cowley (Fairy Godmother).

The performance was popular with the children, with comic Buttons as a clear favourite, summoning shrieks of laughter throughout.

The 2013 pantomime, staged by Jamie Marcus Productions will run from Friday, December 13, until Saturday, January 4, and tickets start at £10.

Regulars to the Lincoln Christmas pantomime will recognise some favourite local faces and the company welcome some new stars too. Audiences can also join Santa at selected dates.

It’s not the first time the traditional story had been played out on a Lincoln stage, but the performance this year promises unparalleled settings and an unexpected surprise.

Producer Jamie Marcus said: “Cinderella is the most magical of all the pantos. Both boys and girls love Cinderella because you have got the evil stepmother and ugly stepsisters as well as the beautiful Cinderella.

“What I like to create is a traditional panto but with a modern wow factor and this year we have got a flying horse and carriage to take Cinderella to the Ball!”

Jamie Marcus has produced shows up and down the country with his 2011 Peter Pan Drill Hall show making lasting impressions. “The audiences over the last few years have just been great. What we’ve done here at the Drill Hall has put this panto on the map.”

This year’s evil stepmother Lady Horenda is played by a familiar face. Julie Fox had played the Wicked Queen and Queen Rat. “Cinderalla can often be thought of as quite a girly panto but having the uglies and myself as a ‘bady’ I think the boys will really enjoy the show as well.”

Alex Taylor-Robertson, this year’s Cinderella, is from Surrey. “I am really looking forward to getting to know Lincoln, especially at Christmas the setting is idyllic”, she said.