Cinderella - Old Vic
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
AFTER an absence of 15 years, Pauline Collins returns to the West End stage to star as the Fairy Godmother in the world premiere of Stephen Fry’s Cinderella, which runs from December 9, 2007 (previews from December 4) to January 20, 2008 at the Old Vic.
Fry’s debut pantomime follows the success of Aladdin which starred Ian McKellen as Widow Twankey and ran for two consecutive Christmas seasons (2004/05).
Speaking about his witty new version of an old favourite, Fry said: “I’ve tried to remember that for many children who come, it will be their first Cinderella, their first pantomime and their first visit to a theatre, and that for many adults it will be their first return to pantomime since their own childhoods. Pantomime should be the beginning of a never-ending love affair with the theatre.”
Collins will, of course, always be remembered for her role in Willy Russell’s one-woman play, Shirley Valentine, which she created on stage in 1988 and for which she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress. She went on to star in the Broadway transfer as well as the 1989 film adaptation.
Her other West End credits include The Importance of Being Earnest, Rattle of a Simple Man and Shades. And in 2004, she appeared in the touring production of Going Straight alongside her husband John Alderton.
Collins has also appeared frequently on screen – in Upstairs, Downstairs, Thomas and Sarah (both with Alderton), The Ambassadors and Bleak House (TV); and City of Joy, Paradise Road and Fierce Creatures (film).
Cinderella also stars columnist, novelist and television and radio presenter Sandi Toksvig (as the Storyteller) whose recent stage credits include Short and Curly and Big Night Out.
Fiona Laird directs a cast that also includes Debbie Chazen (The Queen), Oliver Chopping (Dandini), Hal Fowler (Ugly Sister), Paul Keating (Buttons), Mark Lockyear (Ugly Sister), Joseph Millson (Prince Charming) and Madeline Worrall (Cinderella).
Cinderella has music by Anne Dudley (The Full Monty), is designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis and choreographed by Francesca Jaynes.
All About My Mother is currently playing at the Old Vic.
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