CINDERS will go to the ball . . . thanks to a little help from The Evening Star!Producers of Felixstowe's panto were desperately seeking a Cinderella for this year's big Christmas show, and decided to give everyone in the area the chance to take on the dream role.

CINDERS will go to the ball . . . thanks to a little help from The Evening Star!

Producers of Felixstowe's panto were desperately seeking a Cinderella for this year's big Christmas show, and decided to give everyone in the area the chance to take on the dream role.

Publicity in the Star attracted 20 young women for the star part and the chance to ride in the golden coach, wear the silver slipper and marry the handsome prince, and now they have their girl.

Twenty-five-year-old Katie Leigh will take to the stage as Cinderella at the Spa Pavilion with the Dennis Lowe Theatre Company when the production opens on Boxing Day.

Katie, who is one half of the Frankie and Katie in the Morning show on SGR FM said: “I am very excited.

“We are into rehearsals now, learning lines and songs and it doesn't seem long at all until the show opens. It is the first time I have been Cinderella and I am really looking forward to it.”

Katie, who attended the acclaimed Italia Conte Academy and has a BA hons in acting, has done touring shows, panto and theatre-in-education work in the past.

She said: “I have wanted to get back into it for a while and my partner saw the piece in the paper and said I should go for it.

“I start work on the radio at 5.15am but my working day is finished by lunchtime, so the show fits in perfectly.”

Last time the Dennis Lowe Theatre Company performed Cinderella, Dennis and Sylvia Lowe's daughter Suzanne took the lead.

But now Suzanne is away working professionally in the theatre, she is unable to come home and take part in the panto, though she is doing the choreography.

Mrs Lowe, who took over as director of the company after her husband's death in 1999 said: “Dennis used to invite people to take the main role in a production - that was his way of doing it.

“But I thought this time it would be great to have auditions and encourage other people to come forward. We had 20 people come along and we are thrilled Katie has accepted the role.”

She will be joined on stage by Dean Wells and Ian Quickfall as the Ugly Sisters, Richard Healey as Buttons, Norman Rutterford The Baron, Sylvia Lowe The Baroness, Kay Beaumont Dandini, Amy Farnworth Prince Charming, Maureen Whelton Godmother, and Merrick Ochwat and Steve Darlow The Broker's Men.

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