Cinderella pantomime script

Please forgive us! CINDERELLA
By Craig Hewlett
This is a sparkling new version of the most loved of all pantos, with loads of knockabout comedy, very funny dialogue and a host of characters including comedy duo Tone and Dubya and evil stepmother Devilla Cruel. Plus regulars Baron Hardup, the Ugly Sister Hernia and Nausea, Dandini and of course Cinders and her Prince Charming.

Plot Summary
Ella's happy life is turned upside down when her father, Baron Harup re-marries the evil Devilla Cruel. Forced into service and sleeping in the fireplace, she is re-christened Cinder-Ella by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters Hernia and Nausea. A chance meeting gets her an invitation to Prince Charming's Birthday Ball and with the aid of her Fairy Godmother and her loyal friend Buttons she attends and subsequently falls in love with her Prince. Her new family finds out and determined to end her happiness lock her in the cellar when the Prince comes calling for the foot to fit the glass slipper. Buttons saves the day and they all live happily ever after.

“There can be no doubt that he has delivered a refreshing new version ... The plot is true to the traditional story and Hewlett misses no opportunity to lace it with comedy and laughter.” -Amateur Stage, June 2006
ISBN 1 904930 68 9

CAST 4 MALE 7 FEMALE 3 M/F PARTS

Cinderella (PG)
Baron Hardup
Devilla Cruel
Fairy Godmother
Dandini
Herald Buttons
Hernia & Nausea(Ugly Sisters)
Tone & Dubya (Comedy Duo)
Prince Charming (PB)
King & Queen
Bows

4 MAIN SETS
Production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.

Sample Script - Buttons

At the end of the song Buttons enters carrying some candyfloss

Buttons Hello everyone.
Chorus Hello Buttons.
Buttons (seeing audience) Hang on a minute! Hold everything! Who’s this lot then?
Chorus 1 We don’t know Buttons. They seem very nice though.
Chorus 2 Yeah. They clapped us for our singing just now.
Buttons Blimey! They must be nice then - tone deaf but nice. I wonder if they can talk?
Chorus 1 Why don’t you try them out?
Buttons All right I will. Hello there, my name’s Buttons. If I shout ‘Alright’ will you shout back ‘No we’re half left!’ (Audience) You will? Oh that’s brilliant. Shall we try it? Okay then, after three. Three! ‘Alright?’ (Audience) Hey!!! That was pretty good. Let’s try something else.
Chorus 2 Try the ‘Oggi oggi oggi’ one.
Buttons They won’t want to do that one.... or will they? (Audience) All right then, after Five. Five!. ‘Oggi, oggi, oggi. (Audience - Oy! Oy! Oy!) Oggi, oggi, oggi (Audience - Oy! Oy! Oy!) Oggi, (Audience - Oy!)Oggi (Audience - Oy!) Oggi, oggi, oggi (Audience - Oy! Oy! Oy!) Ooompah! Ooompah! (Audience - ‘Stick it up your jumper’). They know their stuff don’t they?
Chorus 1 Why don’t you try them with something foreign?
Buttons Okay, but I’ll tell you what, just for my benefit, I’ll keep it simple. I’ll shout ‘Gidday’ and you can shout ’Yeah, it’s a bonzer day but me granny’s in the dunny so why don’t we have a cold one and throw another shrimp on the barbie.’ Are you ready? Deep breaths now. ‘Gidday!’ (Audience) Well that’s great, mates!
Chorus 1 It’s unusual to see you out and about at this time of day Buttons.
Chorus 2 Yeah, the Baron’s normally got you working on some job or another.
Buttons Ah yes but he’s away at the moment. Besides I’ve finished all my jobs for today. (He turns between Chorus 1 and 2 as he delivers the next lines, spraying Chorus 1 with his final phrase) I’ve washed the washing, cleaned the cleaning, ironed the ironing and vacuumed the vacuuming. I’ve even finished filleting the freshly fished fish. Now I’m on my way to meet Ella. (To audience) You haven’t seen her have you? (Audience)
Chorus 3 Cor!! You lucky old devil! Ella’s a real beauty isn’t she?
Chorus 4 Not half! (Other chorus agree)
Buttons Now, now, you chaps. She’s a wonderfully sweet and lovely human being not someone to be ogled at.
Chorus 3 Buttons loves Ella!
Everyone Buttons loves Ella! Buttons loves Ella!
Buttons I do not! I... I just... well I ... Actually, to tell the truth I am rather sweet on her but she wouldn’t be interested in me would she? I mean, I’m just a penniless servant. Even my patches have got patches on them. (To audience) Do you know why they call me Buttons? (Audience) Cause I’ve never got any money, that’s why and so I used to keep metal buttons in my pocket to look as if I had some, only one of that rotten lot found out and ever since then I’ve been called Buttons. It’s true you know. Actually, (he looks around) if you promise you won’t tell anyone I’ll tell you a secret. D’you promise? (Audience. The Chorus sneak up behind him to listen in.) Okay then. I’ve been saving up all my money so that I can ask Ella to marry me. I’ve been saving for seven years now.
Chorus 4 How much have you got?
Buttons Twenty-three pence and some jelly babies. (The Chorus laugh as they walk away) Look! It’s a start okay? It might take me a little bit longer than I first thought but I’ll get there, you’ll see.

From Cinderella, Act 1 Scene 1

We are grateful to Dursley Operatic & Dramatic Society for the pictures from their January 2006 production.

Script details

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