AN AWARD-WINNING theatre company will be performing an all-singing and all-dancing version of Cinderella – their first pantomime for 22 years. After sweeping the board at this year s Cambridge Drama Festival, the Clavering Players have decided to t

AN AWARD-WINNING theatre company will be performing an all-singing and all-dancing version of Cinderella - their first pantomime for 22 years.

After sweeping the board at this year's Cambridge Drama Festival, the Clavering Players have decided to try something a little different.

The classic story of Cinderella and her ugly sisters will be retold at Clavering Village Hall on Thursday January 7, Friday January 8 and Saturday January 9.

Acton Ian Miller, who plays the monster, said: "It's not been easy to go from performing in quite serious plays to comedy acting, but we are all really enjoying it and rehearsals are going well. It's really brought out the children in us!

"It's quite a challenge because there's a lot of singing and dancing which many of us haven't done for a while, but we're all show offs so it should be fine.

"Children are a new audience for us, but we've got a lot of audience interaction with actors going into the crowd and songs everyone can sing along to, so hopefully it will be very enjoyable for everyone."

Directed by Jennie Scott-Reid, the script has been adapted by the cast to make it as topical as possible and with lots of local references. Laura Anstead takes the lead role as Cinderella and Kerri Millership is Prince Charming. The ugly sisters are played by Neil Bird and Mark Anstead, and Jemey Benson is Buttons.

Doors will open at 7pm and at 2pm for the matin�e on Saturday. Performances last approximately one and three quarter hours, including the fifteen minute interval. There will be a licensed bar and refreshments.

Tickets are �7 for adults and �5 for under-14s. Group bookings of at least 10 people are �5 per person. They are available from the Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre, Market Place (01799 510444), Clavering Post Office, and through Rebecca Veitch, rebeccaveitch@hotmail.com (01799 550726).

Can you help? Due to the size of the cast, the Clavering Players are desperately looking for a caravan or porta-cabin to use as a backstage area during the production. Call Ian Miller on 07779 092169.