Shap school Christmas performances.
Pupils from Shap C.E. Primary school performed to capacity audiences
in the run up to Christmas. The older pupils gave a performance
of ‘Cinders’ in the Memorial Hall, where the audience
were welcomed by head teacher Lois Whittaker.
The play was based on the traditional tale of Cinderella, with
the title role being confidently played by Lauren Moore. The
ever faithful Buttons was portrayed by Daniel Anderson, resplendent
in his tail coat. The ugly sisters, played by Jade Baird and
Shannon Twiddy, were most convincing with their squabbling,
slapstick and outrageous costumes. The Prince is very self
important and vain, and his invitation to the masked ball is
eagerly accepted by the Ugly Sisters, Meanwhile the Fairy Godmother
(Joanna Thompson) who is losing her skills manages eventually
to give Cinders a dress for the ball but is unable to conjure
up transport, so Buttons offers a piggy back. At the ball,
the Prince takes a liking to Cinders, but she has to depart
as the clock strikes midnight leaving a glittering slipper
behind. In the ensuing scene when the prince takes the slipper
to find its owner, Cinders confides that she does not like
the Prince and asks the Fairy Godmother to make the slipper
too large for her. This succeeds, and the slipper fits one
of the Ugly Sisters. In the finale, to the singing of Winter
Wonderland, the snowman marries Cinders and Buttons in a happy
ever after ending – with a twist.
The dialogue in the form of rhyming couplets was delivered in
clearly audible voices, and the sets were excellent, changing
from a London street with a chimney sweep and street vendors ‘crying’ their
wares, to a kitchen with cinders toiling away, and then to palace
in an instant. The costumes were also of a high standard, and the
dance sequences well performed. There were several groups of children
portraying Victorian children, guest at the ball, and mice.
The main cast was as follows:
Cinderella – Lauren Moore, Prince – Georgia Young,
Buttons – Daniel Anderson, Stepmother – Lauren Goodson,
Ugly Sisters – Jade Baird and Shannon Twiddy, Fairy Godmother – Joanna
Thompson. King – Sam Coates, Queen – Rebecca Kirkby,
Sir William – Jack Coates, Heralds – Samantha Sharratt
and Katie Stubbs, Footmen – Lucy Judson, Adam Fishwick and
Christine Whitaker, Chestnut Seller – Ryan Barber, Match
girl – Beth Alderson, Flower seller – Emily Slack,
Road sweeper – Joshua Mossman, Chimney sweep – Paul
Wright, Snowflakes – Keeley Hutchinson and Megan Ivinson.,
Snowman – Grant Croasdell.
Mrs Whittaker thanked everyone concerned especially those involved
with scenery and production
The school has a project to raise funds in order to provide a
Shelter box costing £500 and containing everything for a family to
survive for six months including a tent, sleeping bags and food.
The donations taken at the nativity performance were directed to
this fund which has since Harvest reached over £300.
The youngest children in school from the Nursery, Reception class
(Catbells) and Class 1 (Skiddaw), gave two performances of
a nativity play ‘Come to
the Manger’ in the school hall to capacity audiences. The performance was
narrated by pupils from Class 1, and the soloist Bethany Atkinson, sang with
clarity and confidence. The costumes were of a very high standard, but the pleasure
of watching as the little children enact the traditional story of Christmas was,
as always, one of the enduring delights of the season.