The Onward Players Pantomime - Cinderella 2008
EDITORIAL by Victoria Clowes, aged 15
2007 was my first pantomime with the onward players which was great fun, so I was really pleased when I found out I was going to be involved again in this year's production Cinderella!
We started rehearsing at the end of January which continued through to the beginning of March, where we had some rehearsals at Harleston before our performances from the 6th to the 8th of March.
When we had the stage rehearsals it was an ordinary school hall, but by the dress rehearsal it had transformed in to a magical set for Cinderella! After all the rehearsals we couldn't wait for the performances, and finally our first out of four performances had arrived. Backstage our costumes hung along the wall, hair and make- up was being done and we were preparing for our dances.
Our (the seniors) first dances where in the village scene which also the juniors where in, then we had the chimney sweep dance also with juniors. Then at the end of act 1 we did a ballet dance on point (on the last performance my toes were really hurting!!!!!), in this scene Cinderella was carried to the ball in a sparkling carriage. Our final dance was the ball, three of us where ladies with huge dresses and the other three the gentlemen but we all had the wigs on!!! It then came to the finale where all the onward players and the ARTS dancers came together to give the show a great finish.
Although on the first night you feel a little nervous once you get into the swing of things it goes TOO quickly! Once again the pantomime was a huge success and great fun to be part of, and I think everyone who was in it and who watched would say the same. This was the first time my family had seen one of the onwards players panto's, and they really enjoyed the whole thing!!
But none of it could have been possible without all the hard work and time especially put in by the onward players talented cast and team. Also well done to everyone from ARTS who was involved in the production- either being in it, teaching the dances or getting us to and from Harleston!! I had a fantastic time as I am sure everyone did!
EDITORIAL by Abigail Lewis (Age 9)
I really enjoyed taking part in the Pantomime, it was great fun! After a few weeks of practice it was time to do the real thing. Everyone looked great in their make-up and costumes!
We all chatted, ran about, played on our Nintendo DS's and practiced the dances while we were waiting for our bit.
I really enjoyed being a pretty lady, the scenery was amazing with the glow in the dark back ground.
EDITORIAL by Emily Lewis (Age 11)
I really enjoyed dancing in the Pantomime. It was great fun and a change to make friends with the other ARTS pupils. It was also a great opportunity to interact with and understand people with special needs. When it came out on DVD I watched it and thought that it was really good. Everybody put their heart and soul into producing it!
