Cinderella Open Dance Auditions a huge success

The final piece of the Cinderella jigsaw has been put in place following a hugely successful Open Dance Audition at Harlow Playhouse.

More than 120 young people turned up to the auditions on Sunday, September 20 to see if they could earn a place in the cast for this year’s Playhouse pantomime.

Each of them showcased their dancing skills before the judging panel, made up of representatives from New World Productions which is staging the pantomime in association with the Playhouse.

Following the auditions, the hard work began for the panel of whittling the numbers down to a final 40. Each of the successful candidates were subsequently notified and will begin rehearsals for the show at the start of November.

“We were really pleased with how it went; the people auditioning were of a very high standard,” said New World’s Gary Telfer.

“They made it very tough for the panel to decide. The standard was even better than we were expecting. We’re really pleased with the final 40; the dance routines will be tough and they will spend a lot of time on stage. 

“It’s been nice telling the successful youngsters they are in the show. Some of them have been crying down the phone; they’re all delighted obviously.”

The conclusion of the Open Dance Auditions means all the parts have now been cast for the show.

Heading the cast will be Sandra Dickinson, who has appeared in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and 2 Point 4 Children and stars as the Fairy Godmother; CBBC Presenter Ben Hanson, who has appeared in Tracey Beaker and plays Buttons; and Rob McVeigh, who made it to the finals of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Any Dream Will Do talent contest on BBC1 and plays Prince Charming.

They are joined by Danielle Black (17), the Harlow-born unknown performer who recently made it through two auditions to be cast in the title role of Cinderella.

Mr Telfer added: “We’re all looking forward to getting on with it now. It’s been six months preparing for it, so we want to get on with the job at hand.” 

Cinderella takes place from December 11 – January 10. Tickets can be booked from the Playhouse Box Office on 01279 431945 or online at www.playhouseharlow.com.whatson/plays/cinderella