Cinderella: A Modern Fairy Tale Enchants in Lewes
The historic All Saints Centre in Lewes was filled with magic, laughter, and heartwarming moments this Sunday as Drama Collective presented their fresh take on the beloved tale of Cinderella to a sold-out audience. Tim Rowland’s modern adaptation proved that even after centuries, this timeless story still has the power to captivate audiences of all ages…
Set in the aptly named Brassic Manor, this contemporary reimagining brought a relatable Cinderella to life, surrounded by a hilarious cast of characters who kept both our heroine’s and the audience’s spirits high. The production was enriched by an original musical composition for “The Troubadours” from renowned local talent Sophie Cousins, adding a unique musical flair that had the whole audience giggling along.
Above you can see our cast members striking a silly pose just before the show started, and here is our programme.
The energy on stage and behind the scenes was infectious, with the multi-generational cast from East and West Sussex delivering performances that resonated with everyone in attendance.
“That was fantastic! Thanks everyone for a wonderful afternoon, you’re all super stars!”
Cast Member Parent“Thanks for a really fun experience and well done to the whole Drama Collective for putting on such an entertaining panto!“
Audience Member“This show has been great, from start to finish, and I am proud to be part of it!”
Cast Member, Adult’s Theatre Group
“Absolutely brilliant show! We loved it and all came away with huge smiles. What a talented bunch you all are.”
Cast Member Parent“Thank you for welcoming me into your group and including me in the performance half way through rehearsals. I had a great time!“
Cast Member, Adult’s Theatre Group“Well done to all! It was a wonderful show and so lovely to see all the kids enjoying it, everyone was amazing!“
Parents, Hassocks Drama Collective
A particularly touching moment came during the interval, where the community spirit of Drama Collective shone through. The production raised funds for two remarkable charities – The Starr Trust and The Flying Seagull Project – that are dedicated to transforming young lives and creating brighter futures, reminding us that sometimes real-life fairy tales can come true through the kindness and generosity of others.
The production’s impact was perhaps best summarised by one father’s emotional review:
“A wonderful experience, I laughed and cried. The first thing my daughter said when I collected her after the show was ‘Daddy will I be allowed to stay forever?'”
This heartfelt response exemplifies how Drama Collective continues to inspire the next generation of theatre lovers while maintaining the cherished traditions of British pantomime.
A massive thank you
On behalf of the entire cast and crew, we are sincerely grateful to have welcomed a sold-out auditorium in Lewes.
This production would not have been possible without the dedication of our members and their wonderfully supportive families and friends, as well as our lovely volunteer chaperones, back-stage crew and tea ladies, and the All Saints Centre team. Special thanks also to Tim, Lesley, Mel and Dan for their phenomenal work in creating everything that our audience saw on stage.
To all the local businesses who hung our poster in their window and/or donated to our charity fundraising raffle generously – we are incredibly grateful. And, to Simon, Matt and the team at PRG Marketing Communications, thank you so very much for printing our programme so beautifully!
Final thoughts
From the moment our trainee Fairy God-person appeared to help Cinderella meet Prince Henry at the palace ball, to the final triumphant scene, the production demonstrated the perfect balance of tradition and innovation. Everyone involved helped to create magical moments and an enchanting afternoon that left audiences believing in fairy tales all over again.
Drama Collective has once again proven their ability to create theatrical magic that brings communities together and empowers individuals from all walks-of-life to delivers professional-quality entertainment and support worthy causes.
Looking forward, our brave multi-generational cast members will rehearse a selection of shows that will surely make each and every audience member smile. More details will be announced very soon, and in the meantime we will give new young members and grown-ups a very warm welcome in Hassocks and Lewes when our next term starts on Monday, 24th February 2025.