Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society is pleased to announce that – like the Phoenix rising from the ashes – Mr Cinders is about to light up the Regal stage at last and “Spread a Little Happiness” across the area

 Originally cast last July, planned for December, postponed due to the arson attack on the theatre and partially recast not once but three times when first one of the brothers then the male lead had to be recast due to family commitments and one of the replacements had to leave due to revised work conditions, the current cast plus choreographer Keely Taylor and Musical Director Kate Jewell have worked extremely hard under the direction of Anne Lilley to keep the show on the road.

As can be guessed from the title the story is a role reversal of the original Cinderella where the adopted son Jim (Matt Bendall – in the third part he has learned) is put upon by his Aunt, Lady Agatha Lancaster (Pauline Taylor) and her two foppish sons, Lumley (Michael Jewell) and Guy (Jon Wray the second part he had learned). His Uncle, Sir George just wants a quiet life!

A series of adventures, mishaps and misunderstandings follow but in the end all three young men get their girls, Jill (Jo Chadwick), Minerva (Karen Long) and Phyllis (Lynda Phillips) and all ends happily.

One interesting fact to emerge is that Clifford Gray the composer is buried in Ipswich Old Cemetery. His memorial bears the inscription ‘Spread a Little Happiness’ which is the title of one of the songs from the show. Do come along to the Regal Theatre, Stowmarket (Box Office 01449 612825) between Tuesday May 4th and Friday May 7th at 7.30 or on Saturday May 8th at 2.30 or 7.30 and let Mr Cinders ‘Spread a Little Happiness’ for you.