Youngsters will have a ball at King's Lynn pantomime

The all-female cast from My First Panto - Cinderella Rocks entertained parents and children at the library in King's Lynn this morning.

They rocked up to join in the Bounce and Rhyme session before singing some songs from the show which will be starting at The Workshop in Lynn on December 8 -13

The trio wore their brightly coloured panto costumes, designed by Sam Peal which reflect different stages in music from David Bowie and glam rock to Taylor Swift.

This pantomime is the perfect opportunity for youngsters and families to experience their first introduction to live performance.

Actor-musicians Sarah Workman, Rebecca Levy and Norfolk performer Rhiannon Hopkins lead the show which features poor Ella who just wants to be a famous rock star, but her sour-faced sisters sabotage her dreams like little Simon Cowells.

Shattering fairytale clichés like a glass slipper this year, with no prince, this show is aimed at ages seven and under and gets the audiences up and joining in the fun on stage.

Rhiannon Hopkins said: "I play bass guitar and keys a and it is really fun and a good experience. It is important in my opinion to see a female bassist."

Sarah Workman said: "This panto is breaking the mould in that Cinderella wants to be a rock star, there is no prince, so it is not following traditions."

Rebecca Levy who plays Ella said of the female cast: "Representation, especially for music and the arts is showing young people you don't have to be a boy to be a drummer or play the bass.

"It is interactive and as interactive as can be in these Covid times, we want it to not be a scary experience for first time theatre goers."

Writer and director of the show Daniel Burgess has expressed his excitement about getting back into panto after being limited to what theatre could be done during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Burgess said: “It’s been really fun and exciting getting back into rehearsal after so long.”

See Ella and her sisters singing here:

This year’s pantomime is a rock and roll twist on the traditional fairy-tale Cinderella, with an all-female cast, the role of Prince Charming has been ditched.

Director Mr Burgess said: “Fairy tales are outdated and misogynistic, Cinderella now inspires to be a queen of pop instead of marrying a prince.

"There’s better role models for young girls and boys.”

See Ella and her sisters singing here:

The performance is aimed to inspire young children to develop their own points of view from a young age.

Mr Burgess said: “Being male or female doesn’t make you a brilliant person."

Music producer for Cinderella Rocks Lloyd Gorman says it is important for not only for the children to be entertained, but parents and carers as well.

See Ella and her sisters singing here:

This is Lloyd’s 14th production, he said: “The songs are not dumbed down for children, we’ve got to entertain parents too as it effects how the child engages with the performance.

"If the parents are bored, the kids will be too.”

Audiences can catch My First Panto - Cinderella Rocks at The Workshop from Wednesday, December 8 to the following Monday 13.

Visit theworkshop.org.uk or call 01553 277919.