Cinderella opened its doors at Academy Transformation Trust Further Education, Sutton Community Academy on Thursday, 22nd January for four sell-out performances.

After last year’s success with Aladdin, drama tutor Jack Burrows returned with an even bigger and better production.

The popular pantomime provided family fun and frivolity with lots of laughter and song. It followed the traditional tale of Cinderella with a fair tale twist bringing in well-loved characters from famous children’s story tales.

The cast was a mixture of former Sutton Community Academy students such as Kay Vardy (Cinderella), Lauren Taylor (Prince Charming) and John Wadley (Petunia). Other cast members were teaching staff from Academy Transformation Trust Further Education, Sutton Community Academy including Tai Chi tutor Ken Mead (Dandini), Essential Employability Tutor Rosie Knight (Fairy Godmother) and Hair Dressing tutor Amanda Rutter (Mrs Cod).

Members of the Mansfield and Ashfield area also helped in a community collaboration. A Prop Me Theatre Company run by Kay Vardy helped with choreography, while New Cross Community Choir provided harmonies.

Jack Burrows said: “I was very keen to expand not only the level of performance but the size of the cast and to reach out to groups in the area that would connect with what Academy Transformation Trust Further Education, Sutton Community Academy wanted to achieve with the pantomime in terms of bringing a community together.

“Therefore by joining forces with people such as New Cross Community Choir and the Prop Me Up Theatre Company it has been a wonderful journey to produce the show on a bigger scale.”

Further education learners from the Academy made the costumes using the skills they learnt in dress making classes. The make-up was provided by learners from the beauty classes, both classes making a significant contribution to the shows.