Slipper And The Rose


The Musical, telling the enchanting story of Cinderella
Licensed by NODA on behalf of Excelsior Group Productions and Paradine Co-Productions Ltd

Music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Book by Bryan Forbes, Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman

Joint Producers Tim Jones & Greg Yates
Musical Director Sarah Browne
Choreography by Lindsay Flavell

About "The Slipper And The Rose"

There can be no question that the story of Cinderella counts amongst the world's best loved and most often told fairy stories, an enchanting tale handed down from generation to generation and a continuing delight to people of all ages everywhere.

The written Conderlla story first appeared in a Chinese book around 850 AD and, centuries later, the resemblance to that first telling is remarkable.

The first record of Cinderella in Europe appears in Italy in 1634. In this version, Cinderella plots with her governess to murder her stepmother - in fact, she manages this by letting the lid of a great chest fall on her neck while she is looking for some old dresses. Then she persuades her father to marry the governess, unaware that the woman has six daughters of her own who are then placed above her!

Many versions appeared in Europe including, of course, that of the Grimm brothers which was translated into English in 1826. The Cinderella fairy-tale as we know it today is based on a rather earlier re-telling of the old story by Charles Perrault who published it, in French, in his Histories de Contes du Temps in 1679. It was translated into English for the first time in 1726.

"The Slipper And The Rose" is a new musical version of Cinderella which is both romantic and real. The idea originated when David Frost met Richard and Robert Sherman (who wrote the words and music for "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang") in Los Angeles in 1972 and suggested making a film musical of Cinderella. They readily accepted the challenge and produced a score of great beauty and charm. They were joined by Brian Forbes who wrote the script and directed the film which was premiered to great acclaim before Her Majesty the Queen in 1976. Made at Pinewood, "The Slipper And The Rose" featured a galaxy of British stars including Michael Horden as the King, Kenneth Moore as the Chamberlain, Margaret Lockwood as the Stepmother, Julian Orchard as Cousing Montague and Annette Crosbie as the Fairy Godmother. The very young and lovel Gemma Craven played Cinderella opposite Richards Chamerlain as the Prince.

In this brand new stage adaption, the spirit of the film and, indeed, Perrault's version of the story has been carefully preserved. The story is set in the fictitious central European state of Euphrania sometime in the eighteenth century.

Although "The Slipper And The Rose" is definitely not a pantomime, nevertheless a good deal of magic remains. It is a story of two people in love, a Prince and a lonely young girl who, against all odds, becomes Princess. Since what happened next has never been told, we can be absolutely certain that they lived happily ever after...

The Cast

CINDERELLA
Beth Keasey
PRINCE EDWARD
Leon Davies
JOHN
John Wetherall
 KING
Eric Page
QUEEN
Brenda Arnold
DOWAGER QUEEN
Adelle Morgan
LORD CHAMBERLAIN
Allen Griffiths
STEPMOTHER
Stephanie Cottrell
ISOBELLA
Sarah Houghton
PALATINE
Alison Williams
MONTAGUE
Graham Stanford
FAIRY GODMOTHER
Sue Evans
MAJOR DOMO
Steve Noakes
ARCHBISHOP
Les Middleton
WILLOUGHBY
George Bukowski
LADY CAROLINE
Sophie Hall
BRIDE'S FATHER
John Arnold
BRIDE
Elaine Hickman


~ COURTIERS & CITIZENS OF EUPHRANIA ~

Phaedre Brickwood, Samantha Dale, Jean Daybell, Melissa Dovey, Sophie Flint, Nicole Fox, Marilyn Goodwin, Sue Harris, Elaine Hickman, Pam Hughes, Anne Lowe, Nicola Marrison, Jean Meachem, Kerene Mckeown, Georgia Nike, Amy Penzer, Sue Turner, Alison Walker, Anne Woolley, Janine Wright, John Arnold, Laurie Hickman, James Hill, Colin Hunt, Alf Rai

~ CHILDREN ~

Sophie Davies, Lindsey Grant, Rebecca Harris, Emma Jones, Lydia Metcalf, Sophie Young

~ NON ACTING MEMBERS ~

Peter Arnold, Chris Biythe, Tony Biythe, Merrill Pearn, Bob Fearn, Helena Flint, John Fowell, Roma Harvey, Jane Hastilow, Frank Meachem, Margaret Middleton, Paul Middleton, Margaret Shaw, Reg Shaw, Nick Sullivan, Mary Vickers, Pat Wall, Susan Harris

CINDERELLA - Beth Keasey

Beth first joined Bilston to play the part of Molly in the 1994 production on "Annie". She returned in 1999 for "Hello Dolly" and last year played the Ballerina in our production of "Scrooge". Beth is a Senior Associate with the Royal Ballet and she is looking forward to her first role with the company.

 

STEPMOTHER - Stephanie Cottrell

Stephanie is a long standing member of the company with a wealth of experience with Bilston and other companies in the Midlands. Despite recent surgery and the trauma of being 'newly wed' she is determined to carry on with her stage career.

ISOBELLA - Sarah Houghton

Since joining in 1985, Sarah has been a dedicated member of the company. Her first significant role was 'The Heavenly Friend' in "Carousel" in 1998. She thoroughly enjoyed the part of 'Ernestina Moneypenny' in "Hello Dolly", and last year played 'Mrs Cratchit' in "Scrooge".

PALATINE - Alison Williams

This is Alison's third year with the company after playing 'Isobel' in last year's production of "Scrooge". Her other roles have been 'Agnes Gooch' in "Mame", 'Eliza Dolittle' in "My Fair Lady", 'Minnie Fay' in "Hello Dolly" and most recently 'Laurie' in "Oklahoma" with the Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company.

PRINCE EDWARD - Leon Davies

Leon is currently an Optometrist at Boots Opticians and is a postgraduate studying for a PhD at Aston University. Trained since the age of six, Leon has appeared in over 35 productions with principal parts including 'Billy Lawlor' in "42nd Street", 'Billy Cocker' in "Anything Goes", and 'Riff' in "West Side Story" at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. In May 1999 he appeared at the Royal Albert Hall for the NODA centenary celebrations. Leon is delighted to be playing the part of the Prince in his first year with Bilston.

JOHN - John Weatherall

John rejoins the company for this production having previously taken the role of 'Fyedka' in "Fiddler On The Roof". John is also a member of Willenhall Operatic where he recently played the part of 'Nanki Poo' in the "Hot Mikado".

LORD CHAMERLAIN - Allen Griffiths

We welcome Allen back on stage with us once again. He originally joined Bilston in 1978, playing 'Honore Lachailles' in "Gigi" and although not playing an active part with us in recent years, he has given us continued support. Allen is well known and respected in the area for the many and varied roles he has played in amateur theatre over the years - more years than he wished to remember.

 

COUSIN MONTAGUE - Graham Stanford

Graham joined the company three years ago to play the part of 'Cornelius Hackle' in "Hello Dolly". He joined us from a previous amateur career having travelled the country in Civil Engineering. He has played 'Billy Fly' in "Chicago", 'Fenton' in "Merry Wives of Windsor" and a number of other roles in companies all over the county.

KING OF EUPHRANIA - Eric Page

Eric has been a stalwart of the company with 40 years of experience under his belt and has played innumerable roles in that time. Favourites include 'Sir John' in "Me And My Girl", 'Captain Andy' in "Showboat" and more recently 'Horace Vandergelder' in "Hello Dolly".

QUEEN OF EUPHRANIA - Brenda Arnold

Brenda joined the company in 1974 and took the part of 'Belinda' in "Belinda Fair". Since then she has played a leading part in all aspects of the Company's organisation, and many leading roles including her favourute, 'Kate' in "Kiss Me Kate".

DOWAGER QUEEN - Adelle Morgan

Adelle joined B.O.C in 1982 for "Pajama Game", and has since been a loyal member of the chorus, and spent a number of years on the management committee. She has always had a love for singing and has taken part in many concerts with her church choir. Adelle is looking forward to playing the part of the Dowager Queen.

FAIRY GODMOTHER - Sue Evans

Sue has been a member of Bilston for 11 years. She has played 'Lady Thiang' in "The King & I", 'Carrie' in "Carousel", both with Bilston and 'Marian' in "Music Man" with Walsall Operatic Society. Her favourite role was 'Dolly Levi' in "Hello Dolly" in our 1999 production.

LADY CAROLINE - Sophie Hall

Sophie first joined the company in 1996 as a member of the company for "The King & I" and the following year took part of 'Shprintze' in our production of "Fiddler On The Roof". After completing her studies at St. Domonic's she is currently continuing her college pursuit of Drama and the Performing Arts.

MAJOR DOMO - Steve Noakes

Steve joined the company last year. He has previously played several parts including 'Billy Bigelow' in "Carousel", performaces in "West Side Story", Birmingham Town Hall (Arab Jets), chorus of "My Fair Lady", and has also spent twelve months at the Alexandra Youth Theatre.

WILLOUGHBY - George Bukowski

George is in his final year at Thomas Telford School's Sixth form college studying for his BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts. His portfolio includes work in television, radio and stage and this is his fisrt venture in amateur operatics.

ARCHBISHOP- Les Middleton

Les has been a very active member of the company for 35 years taking many roles and always supporting the company with his interpretation of the many characters he has been called upon to play.