Cinderella will snub Prince Charming and end up with Buttons instead in a new more ‘progressive’ panto being planned for British stages.
Writers behind the narrative twist on the traditional festive favourite say they hope to provide audiences with a healthier look at relationships, by having the title character declare her love for the house servant usually seen as simply a platonic friend.
Award-winning Evolution Productions has previously provided different versions of Jack And The Beanstalk, including one in which the title character comes out as gay and another in which he is replaced by Jacqueline.
The firm, based in Eastry in Kent, is run by husband-and-wife duo Paul Hendy, who previously hosted TV shows including Wheel Of Fortune, and Emily Wood.
They have been working in panto for 20 years and have owned Evolution Productions since 2005, the firm having been founded in 1982 by her parents.
Ms Wood told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme today that some people might be ‘shocked’ by their tinkering with traditional panto storylines, but urged audiences to be open-minded.
The Alban Arena in St Albans, Hertfordshire, and the Royal and Derngate theatre in Northampton are putting on Evolution Production versions of Cinderella this winter.
The St Albans one stars former EastEnders actress Samantha Womack as the Fairy Godmother while Prince Charming is portrayed by George Shelley from boyband Union J, who was I’m A Celebrity series runner-up in 2015.
Former EastEnders actress Samantha Womack stars as the Fairy Godmother in an Evolution Productions stage version of panto Cinderella at the Alban Arena in Hertfordshire this winter
The cast are pictured here including George Shelley as Prince Charming (second from right) and Oliver Scott as Buttons (second from left)
A new Cinderella rewrite is the brainchild of married couple Emma Wood and Paul Hendy, who run award-winning theatre company Evolution Productions
The Fairy in Northampton is being played by 2014 Strictly champion Joanne Clifton.
Ms Woods explained their new take on Cinderella by first saying of the orthodox storyline: ‘It’s a slightly unsatisfying ending because she gets rescued by a prince and she falls in love with a man who’s rich and actually you don’t see their relationship develop.
‘But you see her being brilliant friends with Buttons and he is fantastic and supportive, which is so much more the kind of relationship we strive for in our lives.
‘So, for the first time ever this year we’re just going to play with that.’
She asked Today programme interviewer David Sillito, “Are you shocked?”, before adding: ‘We might have got it wrong but it’s going to be really interesting.
‘That’s what’s great about this is, you can play with these things.
‘She’s going to say to the prince, “I’m in love with my best friend Buttons”, and, do you know what, I think the audience will all be delighted because I think that’s the ending we all dream of really.’
Jack came out as gay to his mother in the final scene of a Jack In The Beanstalk written by Hendy and staged at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, Kent, in 2021, with ex-popstar Duncan James in the title role.
Another Evolution Productions version of Cinderella this winter is being staged at the Royal and Derngate theatre in Northampton, with Strictly star Joanne Clifton as the Fairy
Emily Wood and Paul Hendy have run Evolution Productions, based in Eastry in Kent, since 2005 – the firm was founded by her parents in 1982
Ms Wood said today: ‘We’ve been doing a Jack And The Beanstalk which is led by Jacqueline whose name is shortened to Jack. Yes, we do have a female Jack.
‘We’ve had a gay Jack before, who was in love with Billy rather than Jill – that was so warmly received.
‘Things have changed. That’s what’s happened in the real world – not everyone gets married these days, not everyone’s in a heterosexual relationship. Let’s embrace that.’
And her husband Mr Hendy, who says he has written about 150 pantos, told Today he believed the essentials included comedy, audience participation and a Dame.
But he added: ‘It’s interesting, panto has to evolve and the reason it’s survived for over 150 years is because it’s constantly evolving.’
Theatre director and author Robert Marsden, a trustee of the UK Pantomime Association, said panto had always made changes while adapting to changing tastes and sensibilities – while keeping crucial traditions that all audiences count on.
Mr Marsden, who is directing a production of Peter Pan at Halifax’s Victoria Theatre this Christmas, told MailOnline today: ‘Panto needs to reflect society as it is, as it can be and should be.
TV and theatre actress Samantha Womack and Union J popstar George Shelley are among the star names in the new Alban Arena staging of CInderella in St Albans, Hertfordshire
Former TV presenter Paul Hendy, who hosted shows such as Wheel Of Fortune and Don’t Try This At Home, previously played Buttons at in a production of Cinderella in Guildford, Surrey
‘For example, in the 1990s there was a move away from killing off the baddie at the end – companies would find ways to make sure they got their come-uppance, but looking more at potential restoration and how people can turn their lives around.
‘Now there are different storylines in relation particularly to female characters. There was a time when, say, Cinderella wasn’t necessarily a strong character.
‘But you can get a better balance, for instance an independent Cinderella who stands up to her wicked sisters but still loves to go to the ball in a gown.
‘Of course you need to keep certain elements or it doesn’t become a panto anymore.
‘Audiences have expectations and will want the magic, the slapstick, messy and sloshy scenes, and the double entendres that come from panto and British culture.’
