Cinderella - Men in Tights

Written by Norman Robbins

December 2000

Directed by Jude Flanagan and Ian H

The really good stories never leave us. Amongst them is Cinderella which is without doubt one of the world's favourite stories. What makes it so special is that it is a universal story which appeals as much to adults as it does to children. This version of Cinderella has been written by Norman Robbins with an adult audience very much in mind!

AuthorNorman Robbins

Norman Robbins (b 1935)

Norman was born in Yorkshire and made his first stage appearance aged three. He spent many years in amateur theatre but made his professional performance debut in pantomime at in 1965. Over the next fifteen years he continued to act on stage and television and write plays and pantomimes in his spare time. His first pantomime 'Sing a song of Sixpence' was written in 1952 and published in 1978. His first play 'Pull The Other One' was written in 1970.

In 1979 he began to teach drama at the Iowa State University as a visiting professor. During this period he directed one of his own pantomimes which was unusual in being a British pantomime which was successful in America. A later production of the show became the first British pantomime ever to be shown on American television.

A successful and prolific pantomime writer, his recent book on the evolution of British Pantomime was nominated and short listed for two literary awards. Over ten thousand productions of his pantomimes have been staged around the world and he is published in several languages. He also writes occasional articles for Amateur Stage magazine.

PlayCinderella - Men in Tights

Cinderella is a well-known classic folk tale of a young woman who is victimised and despised by the daughters of her father's second wife.

One of the most popular versions of Cinderella was written by Charles Perrault in 1697. The popularity of his tale was due to his additions to the story including the pumpkin, the fairy-godmother and the introduction of glass slippers. It was widely believed that in Perrault's version, Cinderella wore fur boots ("pantoufle en vair"), and that when the story was translated into English, vair was mistaken for verre (glass), resulting in glass slippers and that the story has remained this way ever since. Another well-known version was recorded by the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the 19th century. In this version, the stepsisters try to trick the prince by cutting off parts of their feet in order to get the slipper to fit. The prince is alerted by two pigeons who peck out the stepsisters' eyes, thus sealing their fate as blind beggars for the rest of their lives.

This Production

Cinderella - Men in Tights poster image

Insiders was a drama company formed by Bench Theatre which included inmates and tutors from Kingston Prison, Portsmouth.

This play was staged in Kingston Prison with Bench Theatre collaborating with inmates and tutors from Kingston Prison, Portsmouth as "Insiders' Drama Company".

Cast

CinderellaJude Flanagan
DandiniJim L
ButtonsChris H
Baron HardupJudy Bodenham
Baroness HardupTim Taylor
AsphyxiaStuart M
EuthanasiaFin S
AmmerSacha Armstrong
TongsBill K
Prince CharmingSue Dawes
Fairy GodfatherDavid Hill
Major DomoRob K
LeftieDom S
RightyDarren P
Ballet Dancer 1Jim F
Ballet Dancer 2Gary S
Ballet Dancer 3Gary B

Crew

Directors Jude Flanagan
Ian H
Stage Manager Sid K
Assistant Stage Manager Andy W
Charlie S
Sound
Lighting
Sid K
Costumes Carol Gresty
Trish Rose
Scenery and Props painter Charlie S
Set Design Sid K
Props Carpenter Derek F
Prompt Dorothy Stevenson

Director's Notes

We all remember stories from out childhood. Some were read to us, other we saw enacted before our very eyes. The really good stories never leave us. Amongst them is Cinderella which is without doubt one of the world's favourite stories. What makes it so special is that it is a universal story which appeals as much to adults as it does to children. This version, known as Cinderella-Men in Tights, is performed by the Insiders Drama Company with the special help of, and in conjunction with The Bench Theatre Company.

With the ugly sisters renamed Euthanasia and Asphyxia, this version of Cinderella has been written by Norman Robbins with an adult audience very much in mind! But the original story line remains uncluttered, and romantic interest is as strong as ever. If tonight's performance is anything as funny as it was during rehearsals, you will enjoy our version of Cinderella just as much as we have. This is the third stage production performed by the Insiders Drama Company and it promises to be as good if not better than the previous two. Enjoy yourselves. Please remember that we all very much value your written comments, and we hope that you would like to become our regular supporters.

Jude Flanagan and Ian H