Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 17 January 1942

Cinderella at Swinton

St. Michael’s Church Pantomime

Memories of delightful pantomime productions presented in the past by St. Michael’s. Church, Swinton, were revived this week when St. Michael’s Church players gave the pantomime “Cinderella’ at the Church Hall.

Given as a matinee on Saturday and repeated each evening, the show was as successful as any previous church efforts, and large audiences each night thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. Proceeds are in aid of the church and Swinton War Welfare Fund.

Mr. T. Travis and Mr. G. Marks as the Ugly Sisters, Elfrida and Marguerite excelled in acting ability and provided the audience with endless entertainment. Mr. Jarvis gave a first-class portrayal of the romantically minded red-hatred Elfrida, and though his voice sometimes forsook the high pitched treble expected of him and changed to his own rich baritone, this only provoked still more laughter from an audience already delighted with his performance. As the other Ugly Sister, Mr. Marks was never lacking in enthusiasm, and they combined to make really good pair of comedians.

There was a delighted freshness about Mrs. K. F. Kinns, who played Cinderella; not only were her gestures ratty, but she outshone most amateur actresses so far as quality of tone and clarity of diction went. Miss Dorothy Russell as Prince Charming was consistent, but could have made more of the part. Dandini and the Fairy Godmother were portrayed by Miss Gladys White and Miss A. Stanworth, and other minor parts were taken by Mr. T. Stirland and Master R. Brown as Napoleon Smash and Wellington Protector, Hayseldene as John the Master, F. Markley as Peter the Page, and Miss M. Walker and Miss H. Gladwin as chorus girls.

Mr. W. Taylor was responsible for the production and maintained the high standard set by Mrs. W. J. Parker in previous years’ shows. The scenery was good and the scene shifters must have worked fast in the short intervals allowed. The band also merited praise, for it gave valuable assistance to the principals. The chorus managed very well considering the small space at their disposal, and consisted of:

Senior Chorus. B. Ibberson, E. Oates, M. Meggitt, M. Risbrook, D. Foss, D. Pearson, M. Phillips, G. Jardine, A. Glendinning’ S. Johnson.

Junior Chorus 1, Winnie Cooper, ‘Betty Charlesworth, Edith Heeds, Sylvia Denton, Margaret Trickett, Betty Wilson. Winnie Frost. Sylvia Eagles, Jean Woodhead, Jean Rodgers;

Junior Chorus 2, Barbara Jackson, Barbara Ardron. Betty Boughton. Doreen Eagle, Beryl Jones, Jean Whitehouse, Alice Wilson, Barbara Bell, Gertie Roughton, Margaret Rutherford, Betty Oxley, and Mary Carr.

Musical directors were Mr. A. Parker and Mrs. F. Hayseldene: dancing instructresses, Miss A. Buxton and Miss D. Russell and lighting effects by Mr. T. Jackson. The majority of the costumes made by member of the church and were most effective.