Kathmandu:

The story of Cinderella, a timid and kind girl who is treated as a servant in her own house by her evil stepmother and two stepsisters is probably one of the most popular fairytales of all times. Many of us have sympathised with her and have hated her stepmother and those good-for-nothing stepsisters.

But on December 6 the Nepal Britain Society’s New Shakespeare Wallahs presented a feisty Cinderella in their pantomime ‘Cinderella: the Kathmandu version’ at the Sterling Club of British Embassy. As per the name the script had its own alteration including many issues of Kathmandu like shortage of water and petrol, among others. Written by Greta Rana, the script had so many hilarious moments that made the audience burst out with laughter throughout the performance. All the characters had a different angle to their personality from the original ones. Here Cinderella is not afraid to confront her stepmother and it is Baron Hapless, Cinderella’s father who marries the wicked stepmother for money.

It was a special treat for all the audience as they got a chance to be a part of this fairytale that everybody loves. As audience participation is an integral part of a pantomime, they got the opportunity to not only ‘boo’ the stepmother but they also to join the dance party of the palace. They even got their cue to clap, boo, aahh and shout ‘look behind you’ from the audience prompter. Even the characters mingled with the audience.

The moment when Cinderella took British Ambassador Andrew Hall by surprise when she asked if he was the Prince Charming was remarkable. Even the Prince Charming tried out the glass slippers on ladies in the audience.

The other feature of pantomime, cross-dressing was also done as David Lowen played the character of the wicked stepmother. And although it was David who got the maximum ‘boos’ he was also the one to make the audience laugh the most with his comic timings. The other performer who left a mark on the audience was Adile Penington as Prince Charming. The French accent and the thin moustache of Prince Charming reminded one of Clouseau (Steve Martin) of the movie Pink Panther.

The moment when Prince Charming faced the audience and asked, “Does anybody know what she is saying,” when Cinderella talked to him in French brought a hearty laughter among the audience.

It was an evening when not only the children saw a Cinderella with a twist but also the adults became children again.