It’s that time of year again…. oh yes it is.
In the best traditions of this time of the year, a Belgian audience is set to be treated to that good, old-fashioned English tradition – a pantomime.
This year, the offering by the English Comedy Club later this month is Cinderella.
The panto is something that most of us normally associate with the UK but, in fact, the earliest recorded such tales date way back to ancient times in Greece.
The story is also present in Asia as the Chinese have the story of Ye Xian while the Malay-Indonesian people have the tale of Bawang Putih Bawang Merah and the Vietnamese have Tam Cam, all variants on Cinderella.
Charles Perrault, from France, wrote the story of Cinderella which is best known in its translated English version. Perrault wrote “Histoires ou contes du temps passe” in 1697 and this version includes the pumpkin, fairy godmother, and glass slipper. It is the one that Walt Disney used to create his Cinderella movie in 1950.
There are at least 345 versions of Cinderella in Europe and hundreds of books, films, plays, ballets, and TV shows have been based upon the much-loved story from the Muppets portrayal of Miss Piggy as Cinderella and Sesame Street’s Cinderelmo.
The latest airing of the fairy tale is by the English Comedy Club, based in Schaerbeek, and takes place from 24 to 26 January at Auderghem Cultural Centre in Brussels.
The annual panto has become a tradition for the EEC, which is a long-established and respected theatre company in Belgium.
Andrew Fisk and Cat Harris, the show directors, said audiences can look forward to
“a magical journey where dreams come true (eventually), pumpkins (if seasonally available) transform into dazzling carriages, and a glass slipper will change a life forever.”
With a cast of unforgettable characters, from the no-nonsense Cinderella, lovable Buttons, the wickedly funny stepsisters and their evil parents, not one but two fairy godparents, a King and Queen who want to retire, and the ever-charming eco-warrior Prince plus his Latin sidekick Dandini, this is a timeless tale that is sure to delight.
The show will be unique to Brussels, is written by the cast, and has a usual ECC Belgian twist to it.
The ECC says it will also bring its
“own personal twist to life with stunning costumes, breathtaking scenery and laugh-out-loud comedy.”
“The panto is perfect for the whole family and this year’s Cinderella promises an evening of joy, laughter, and a sprinkle of fairy dust,” added the directors.
What better way, then, to blow away those post-holiday blues than with a great show for all the family.
Beware though: Tickets are selling quickly so be quick to grab yours at the ECC box office.
