Poor Ella. She just wants to be a famous rock star, but her sour-faced sisters sabotage her dreams like little Simon Cowells. Can you help her headline the royal party this Christmas?
We, All-In Productions and our sister venue The Workshop in King’s Lynn are thrilled to cordially invite families to have a ball with us at My First Panto: Cinderella Rocks.
The return of our festive show isn’t the only thing we’re excited about.
The fairy tale cliché of needing a handsome prince has been shattered like a glass slipper, with this year’s performances featuring an all-female cast.
After all, who needs a prince when you’ve got rock ‘n’ roll?
All-In Productions’ Daniel Burgess is writing and directing the show which runs 26 November 2021 – 16 January 2022 at The Garage and 8-13 December 2021 at The Workshop.
He said: “Audiences will have noticed from previous My Firsts that there’s been a focus to really try to flip the way we tell these fairy stories to young people. What would they look like if they were told for the first time today?
“If you look at the Brothers Grimm or Hans Cristian Andersen’s stories, they’re brilliant but they’re outdated.
“When we decided to look at Cinderella the gender roles aren’t something All-In Productions or The Garage feel are appropriate anymore. It’s exciting to view these tales through a 21st Century lens.
“When we started investigating what wanting to be a princess looks like today, we thought we describe female pop artists as princesses and queens and they’re massively popular. It felt natural to focus the story that way.
“If Cinderella doesn’t want to be a traditional princess, then she doesn’t need a prince to inform her decisions either. There aren’t many other characters that are male in the story, so let’s make it about an all-female band.
“I think there’s a lesson for everyone, regardless of gender, about having self-worth and making sure you’re happy in your own skin too.”
The show is led by actor-musicians Sarah Workman, Rebecca Levy and Norfolk performer Rhiannon Hopkins, who panto-lovers may remember from Sleeping Beauty at the Norwich Theatre Royal.
They will be joined by Peony and Florrie Adams, who are playing the roles of Squeaker and Nibbles. They are two mice who help Ella on her journey to stardom.
They have pre-recorded the voices for the mice puppets which will be operated by the cast during the live shows.
Squeaker and Nibbles are the best of friends, squabbling at times but care deeply for each other. They are fun, kind, humorous with a sassy streak.
Aimed at ages seven and under, My First: Cinderella Rocks is the only panto in all the land that lets the audience get up and join in. So why not come rock out with Ella?
Full of singing, dance and play, tickets for shows at The Garage can be booked here or you can call 01603 283382. There are also relaxed, socially distanced and BSL interpreted performances.
Tickets for shows at The Workshop can be booked here or by calling 01553 277919.
Adam Taylor, The Garage Trust’s Executive Director, said: “Having reopened both sites for our new term of classes, being able to add some seasonal sparkle is the fairy on top of the Christmas tree for us.
“We can’t wait to hear both spaces full of children laughing, singing and having fun.”
Reminder: Our autumn term of classes has begun, with tasters available until the October half-term. Find out more about those and our accredited courses too.
For the latest news on what we’re up to, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or sign up to our monthly newsletter.
suggested reads
It’s showtime! We’re excited for our 2021/22 theatre line-up
*new shows added 8 November* It’s showtime! We’re so happy to have opened the doors to our theatre again. There’s plenty to enjoy – with
FIRST REACTIONS TO MY FIRST PANTO: RAPUNZEL
04/12/2019 The first reviews are in for My First Panto: Rapunzel, our latest interactive family show for sevens and under. High in her tower, Rapunzel sits
I DON’T WANT TO MAKE THE SONGS TOO KIDDY. I JUST TRY TO MAKE THEM FUN – MY FIRST COMPOSER LLOYD GORMAN
14/11/2019 Leading actor-musician Lloyd Gorman has appeared in Sunny Afternoon in the West End, UK tours of Our House and Treasure Island and a number of productions for Bolton’s Octagon Theatre. But his career
THERE ARE NO RULES AT A MY FIRST CHILDREN’S SHOW
04/11/2019 As a kid, All-In Productions’ Daniel Burgess and the other children at the Hemsby village pantomime would abandon their seats, run to the front and sit on
STRESS-FREE, HILARIOUS AND A FUN WAY TO INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO SHAKESPEARE SAY MY FIRST PLAY: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S NAP REVIEWS
22/07/2019 The first reviews for My First Play: A Midsummer Night’s Nap are in. The EDP said: “Speaking as a mum of a five-year-old who doesn’t enjoy large crowds
MY FIRST CIRCUS: THE LITTLEST MERMAID WORKS ITS MAGIC ON AUDIENCES
25/04/2019 We’re missing My First Circus’ The Littlest Mermaid who has returned to her underwater kingdom after more than a week at The Garage. Nearly 1,200 people came
