Once upon a time in the heart of Thailand's bustling capital, Bangkok Community Theatre (BCT) decided to whisk its audience away to a magical realm of laughter and enchantment.
From Friday to Sunday, they are staging a rollicking pantomime production of the timeless tale Cinderella at St Andrew's 107 International School on Sukhumvit 107. The showtime is 7.30pm on Friday, 2pm and 7pm on Saturday, and 1pm and 5pm on Sunday.
Featuring an all-star global cast and directed by pantomime veteran Ian Robinson, Cinderella is set in a world where the enchanting lore of old mingles with a zesty modern twist.
The delightful heroine Cinderella, played by Chaya Gonzales, lives just off Sathon Road with her two ugly stepsisters, Pat and Pong, played by the immensely talented John Wright and Danny Whitehead, and her stepmother the Baroness played by Kate Prior. Cinderella is forced to wait hand and foot in her loud-mouthed stepsisters who enjoy bullying her almost as much as they enjoy terrorising the local male population. All seems hopeless for Cinderella until a chance meeting with a fairy godmother, played by Samantha Jacobs, and a handsome stranger in the woods changes the course of her destiny forever.
For hundreds of years, pantomimes have been a staple of the British festive season. However, there is very little miming involved in a traditional British pantomime. They're loud, raucous and unruly.
Throughout the performance, the audience is encouraged to cheer the heroes and boo the villains, creating a boisterous atmosphere in which everyone is a part of the theatrical magic.
Although this show has a uniquely Thai twist, it encompasses all the traditional elements of pantomime. The audience will be dazzled by spectacular musical performances and brace for the visual onslaught that is the ugly stepsisters.
Tickets cost 1,000 baht (750 baht for children) and can be purchased from ticketmelon.com. Refreshments will be available to purchase on site.
Visit bangkokcommunitytheatre.com.
