Ugly sister goes beyond- the call of panto duty

SOME people will go to extremes for their art and Neil Booth will do  anything to rid himself of his 'ugly' title. Type-cast as one of the in this year's Ugly Sisters the Palace Avenue -Theatre he has even shaved off his beard and moustache for the part.

lain Douglas, director of the Paignton pantomime production, said. "Neil is going beyond the call of duty as for the last. 20 years he has had a full moustache and beard. The comedy is in good hands. The Ugly Sisters Sharon and Tracey - are brilliantly played by Neil along with Brian Allen. And the brokers men are given a nice deft comical touch by David Cooper and Helen Randall.”

The talented principal line up sees Cinderella played by Samantha Reps who is a very professional singer and dancer, and opposite her as Prince Charming is Emma Nicholls from Kingsteignton. Emma took the same part last year for the Teignmouth pantomime.

Taking the sentimental role of Buttons will be Adam French who has just spent the summer appearing at the Babbacombe Theatre in Time of Your Life. Other parts are taken by Amanda Read as Dandini Colin Gilderthorp as Baron Hardup, and Rae Atkinson as Fairy Godmother. The principals are supported by a line-up of eight lovely, leggy dancers, a large adult chorus and a team of cute little junior dancers.

lain said: "As usual we will have colourful and spectacular scenery and costumes and lots of them. Musical support comes from Aubrey Maybin who is the musical director, and the choreographer is  Jill Webber. Both have worked very hard with the cast to Produce what looks like being the best panto in Paignton for many years. We have some special visitors to the panto this year with our very own Barbie Girls and the Panto Tubbies paying a visit to each performance."

As usual the show will be supporting charity and will be raising money for the Torbay Hospital League of Friends' Going For A Million Appeal.

Cinderella will run at the Palace Avenue Theatre in Paignton from December 26 until January 4, with matinee performances on December 26, 27 and 28, and January 1, 3 and 4.

Call the box office for tickets.