Find Out the Awesome Truth About Cinderella
Feel good festive show at the Polka Theatre
Jade Lauren appears as Cindy. Picture: Ali Wright
November 8, 2021
A new madcap musical version of the Cinderella story is being staged at the Polka Theatre for the Christmas season.
Running from Friday 12 November 2021 to Sunday 30 January 2022, Cinderella: the Awesome Truth features music and lyrics by the award-winning Felix Hagan.
Inspired by conversations with children and scientists about the classic fairy story and healthy body image, it aims to provide a modern take on a beloved story which is suitable for ages 5 and over.
Co-produced with One Tenth Human and written and directed by Sarah Punshon this adventure to remember has been cocreated with Toni-Dee Paul.
Jade Lauren appears as Cindy, Tiajna Amayo as Ella, James Keningale as Prince Charming and LJ Parkinson as Dandini.
Director and co-creator Sarah Punshon says, “We know children from a really young age are grappling with pressure to look a certain way. So, we talked to our scientific advisors about how to create a joyful Christmas show that would help boost kids’ self-esteem. Our heroes learn that what they
look like on the outside, what kind of dress they wear or what kind of hair they have, is absolutely not the most important thing about them.
“I’m so excited to bring these characters to the main stage in the gorgeous new Polka building. Felix’s songs are incredibly joyful, the perfect way to celebrate Christmas!”
Co-creator Toni-Dee Paul adds, “It’s been so exciting developing our unique take on the classic story. It all started with the team going into schools and asking children what they thought a contemporary Cinderella and Prince might be like - that’s how Ella ended up being into parkour and boxing!
“They told us what was important and exciting about the story, and we ran with their ideas - as well as coming up with some of our own… They also told us what kind of music they love - and so Felix has written these amazing tunes.”
The production will feature set and costume design by Oliver with puppets created by Judith, with lighting & video by Gillian Tan and sound design by Tom Attwood. The creative team also includes movement director Jreena Green and One Tenth Human producer Rafia Hussain.
Tickets are available from £10, and can be purchased via phone 020 8543 4888 or online. A £1.50 transaction fee applies to phone and online bookings
Polka’s Christmas season also features a reimagining of the classic Christmas Eve poem The Night Before Christmas, which draws inspiration from Clement Clarke Moore's much-loved poem.
Written by Olivier Award-nominee Hattie Naylor and directed by Roman Stefanski with designs by Kate Bunce and original music from Julian Butler it is a co-production with Royal & Derngate Northampton.
It will also be the first production in Polka’s new Adventure Theatre.
Director Roman Stefanski says, “The fun magic of making theatre is being able to pick up any topic, story, incident, happening, dream and create a play. The creative team have had an exciting time in being inspired by the well-known Christmas poem and adapting it, making it feel more relevant to the
experiences and values of children today. This warm-hearted and wonderful journey tells of a young girl and a reindeer working out their grumps and differences to form a friendship that reaches the skies, spreading gifts around the world! How? Well that’s for you to come and see and find out.”
The Night Before Christmas runs from Saturday 4 December to Sunday 16 January 2022. Tickets are available from £12, and can be purchased via phone 020 8543 4888 or online. A £1.50 transaction fee applies to phone and online bookings.
Find Articles Like This Useful? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |