Chelmsford Civic Theatre is celebrating the record-breaking success of ‘Cinderella’, which has become the best attended panto the theatre has ever staged, with 90% of the seats being sold and almost 28,800 people watching the production.
Ian Knowles, Artistic Director (Theatre Manager) at The Civic, is delighted with sales. He says: “The figures are sensational and reflect how much time, dedication and love everyone at the Civic puts into the panto to make sure that all the audience go home enthralled by the show. Each year we out do ourselves with our panto – it just keeps getting better and better. Our next panto will be Peter Pan and I am amazed that already we have sold 21% of seats and that some shows have sold-out even before Cinderella had ended”.
Cinderella, which ended on Sunday 6 January 2019, starred Caitlin Rutter, in her first principle role since graduating from the well-renowned Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom. Caitlin has previously appeared at the Civic Theatre as a student debuting in Jack and The Beanstalk. Other familiar faces in this year’s panto included the comedic Louie Westwood, who played Ugly Sister Maureen, Richard Foster-King as Ugly Sister Chlorine, and Abigail Carter-Simpson as the Fairy Godmother. There was even a scene stealing special appearance from two Shetland ponies who took Cinderella to the ball in her sparkling coach!
Social media was full of praise for Cinderella with comments including “Fantastic, been twice in the week and would go again”, “Not a famous face in sight, but they did a better job anyway” and “The best yet”.
Producers One From The Heart in association with Chelmsford Civic Theatre, will bring another action-packed panto, Peter Pan, to the theatre from Friday 29 November 2019 to Sunday 5 January 2020. Tickets are now on sale, so for your chance to visit Neverland and cheer on Peter, Wendy, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys as they take on the dastardly Captain Hook and his henchmen, buy your tickets today or risk disappointment. For more information on performance times and to book tickets call the Box Office on 01245 606505 or book online at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres.
