Cinderella Relaxed Performance Storybook by Graham Baird, Deputy Stage Manager The Showcloth This is what we call the Showcloth. It s what you ll see when you first come into the auditorium. Is this the biggest clock you ve ever seen? You re probably wondering what the big hole at the front of the stage is for. This is what we call the Orchestra Pit, and it s where our Band sit. There s Miles, who plays piano and all sorts of keyboards, Chris, who plays guitars, and Spencer, who plays the drums. When you come to see us, you might see Miles s head popping up in the middle, as he s quite tall! We always have to tell Buttons to be careful he doesn t fall into the Pit, but sometimes he forgets! Iain, who plays Dyspepsia, one of Cinderella s stepsisters will come on to say hello to everyone and welcome you all to the show. Then Miles and the Band will play some music, and it s off we go! The Fairy Godmother will appear and introduce us to the story. She will magically lift the cloth and we ll see the Village
Scene 1 The Village This is the Village where Cinderella lives with her stepmother and stepsisters. We first meet Cinderella as she gathers some water at the well. Can you see it right in the middle? We meet lots of other people here, too. There s Buttons, Cinderella s best friend, and of course all the village children. Prince Charming s best friend, Dandini, also pays us a visit, to invite all the ladies in the village to a Royal Ball at the Palace. Can you see the tall building far away in the distance? That s the Royal Palace, and it s where Prince Charming lives. We ll be visiting the Royal Palace in the second part of the show. Watch out for the Ugly Sisters, Cinderella s stepsisters, having a big fight. They throw loaves of bread, big, silly sausages, and even dirty washing at each other! What a mess!
Scene 2 The Royal Forest This is where we meet Prince Charming for the first time. He s out for a walk with his best friend, Dandini. But when they swap coats can you still tell which is which? We meet an Old Lady, who s looking for mushrooms for her tea. But can you guess who she really is? Here a clue we ve met her before! This is the first time Cinderella meets Prince Charming but she thinks he s Dandini.
Scene 3 The Ugly Sisters Boudoir Now this really is a very funny and very messy scene. As Buttons tries to help the Ugly Sisters get ready for the Royal Ball, all sorts of things start to go wrong. We bet you didn t have this much fuss getting ready to come and see us today. We ll show you the best way NOT to get a fake suntan!
Scene 4 The Long Gallery of Hard-up Hall Cinderella s friends have made her a lovely dress for the Royal Ball. Dandini asks Buttons if he d like to help at the Royal Ball. Everyone s so excited, that they sing and dance. You can clap along if you like!
Scene 5 The Kitchen of Hard-up Hall This is my favourite scene. Cinderella thinks she s going to the Royal Ball, but her stepmother and stepsisters have other plans. They re quite horrid to her, but don t worry. Somebody we know is here to help make everything better. I don t want to spoil the surprise for you, but if you like magic, then I think that this might be your favourite scene too! It s off to the Royal Ball we go!
Scene 6 The Ballroom of the Palace Here we are at the Royal Ball. And very grand it is, too! Everyone we know is here, all dressed up in their finest clothes for the occasion. But what do the Ugly Sisters look like? I ll give you a clue they re both dressed like pieces of fruit! Like all the best parties, there s lots of singing and dancing. You can join in, if you like! We ll have to take care, though, because as the clock strikes midnight
Scene 7 The Long Gallery of Hard-up Hall Well, the Ugly Sisters have been out all night, and just look at them! They re still eating and drinking! But the Gallery is haunted. Can you help Buttons find the silly ghost?
Scene 8 The Kitchen of Hard-up Hall It s the morning after the Royal Ball, and the Ugly Sisters don t look very well. Perhaps they shouldn t have eaten all that food! Suddenly, Prince Charming and Dandini arrive with the glass slipper that Princess Crystal left at the Ball. The Prince will marry whoever fits the slipper. Can you guess who it will be?
Scene 9 The Songsheet Buttons has been asked to ring the bells at the Royal Wedding, but he needs some help. Can you help by singing his song with him? You can be as loud as you like! Here are the words Ding dong, ding dong Ring them bells and don t get the ring wrong Ding dong, ding dong Everybody ring them bells
Scene 10 The Walkdown Everybody we ve met today would like to take a bow and to thank you for coming. Will you clap along? And don t forget to give the Ugly sisters a great big BOOO!