Cinderella comes to town
By Lyna Mohammad

Emma Obern from the UK stars as Cinders. Photos: Rudolf Portillo	Fairy godmother portrayed by Helen Swan.
Scene from the stage.	Stepsisters in an argument.
Gavin Cowley plays Landlord of Cinders Home, Squire Welwyn.	Little fairies in action.

A pantomime of the well-known fairytale "Cinderella," which is scheduled to perform for two days beginning today, had its dress rehearsal Wednesday night at the Empire Theatre of the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong.

Featuring many song and dance routines, it is a production of the Brunei Amateur Dramatics Society and a team from the British Loan Service (who play the main characters) in cooperation with the Empire Hotel & Country Club and Baiduri Finance Berhad.

According to a press statement from the Brunei Amateur Dramatics Society, most of the cast and production team members comprise volunteers. "Cinderella" has a total of 58 actors and actresses, including children aged as young as five.

Many of the chorus members are students of Berakas International School and Jerudong International School. The big cast is made up of talents from a multi-cultural background, including the Prince Charming, who is played by Kelvin Ang, a local Chinese.

Directed by Christine Sullivan and Jean Hamilton with Cindy Perry as the producer, the production team consists of over fifty volunteers for all the backstage work.

This includes the construction and painting of sets, costumes, props, make-up and allied activities such as box office, marketing and front-of-house.

The live performance will showcase eight scenes in Act One with another five in the second after a twenty-minute interval.

Today's show will start at 8 pm. There will be two shows tomorrow at 2 pm and 8 pm in the evening. The last show will be a matinee at 3 pm the day after tomorrow on February 29.

Tickets priced at $12 per person for both adults and children are available from the box office at the Empire Theatre's foyer that is open daily from 12 noon to 6 pm as well as prior to every performance. Purchasing 10 tickets will entitle you to one free, added the press statement.

Brunei Amateur Dramatics Society is a non-profit organisation, which was established to promote drama in the Sultanate and over the years, has provided hours of entertainment for both aspiring actors and keen playgoers.

"Cinderella" is a favourite fairytale, that has delighted generations of children and adults alike. In 1697, Charles Perrault wrote a version of "Cinderella" that appeared in his "Mother Goose Tales."

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin