Panto triumph for 5As

The 5As production of Cinderella has seen packed houses for its first two performances. It's sold out tonight and tomorrow night but, if you are lucky, a few matinee tickets on Saturday might still be available – call the ticket hotline 01270 811468.

As you'd expect with Colin Cliffe the writer, this 5As' production rips along with a riotous blend of the risqué, the rude and the raucous.

Music to suit all tastes features strongly, notably It's Raining Men and a glorious finale of Queen's – well, correction – the 5As' We are the Champions with the whole cast belting it out to deserved and lengthy applause.

SoundThe Public Hall's brilliant new sound system brings a new dimension to the show while the synchronisation of sound, lighting and effects, the set and costumes, were all worthy of a professional performance.

Local industry gets a look in too with Cinders conveyed to and from the ball by a Bentley – sort of. The Ugly Sisters, and how many Cinderallas have four to contend with, include one huge bosomed beauty that would give Lady Gaga a run for her money in flamboyant stage presence.

Cinders and the Prince are always engaging, even before their engagement! The dance routines and the Children of the Chorus were rewarded with huge applause, and deservedly so.

The cast seems to be getting younger, although we're told they range from 5 – 65. One experienced 5As hand tells us he's stepped back – literally to the rear of the hall – while he could still remember his lines.

Haiti appealThe 5As, over the last 14 years, have donated over £10,000 to local and national charities from their nightly raffles. This year, the cause is international and the need very immediate. The proceeds from this year's 5As raffle will go the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

The cast took their bow to the words:
"We've played our parts
And bad mistakes – we've made a few – and they were very few
We are the 5As, my friend..."
It was a fitting finale to a hugely entertaining show. Over a hundred people of all ages were involved. And yes, you really are the Champions.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.