By Sue Read

A MOUSE runs across the stage, then Buttons in his red suit follows to tell us about the fun to come, and fun it is with the tale of love and envy that is "Cinderella".

Scenery is superb, created by Sue Latham, costumes are pretty lavish, some made, some borrowed, and the lighting is good too.

Tedburn St Mary Village Hall was where Tedburn Amateur Dramatic Society presented "Cinderella" with a matinee last Sunday and running again from today, Thursday to Saturday (January 18 to 20) with another matinee on Saturday. Tickets have been going well, 07815 445 379.

Magical, lots of fun, plenty for the audience to join in or shout directions to the cast, a tree that likes tickling people. It is utterly mad, wonderfully colourful and a great load of fun. Plus hot pasties at the interval.

Cinderella is Chloe Sibley, her Ugly Sisters are brothers Mark and Scott Sibley, Prince Charming is Lucy Webster with James Webster being Buttons, the love-lorn lad who shares his hopes with the audience and is wonderfully funny with his clowning and not getting lost on the primrose path with the plishy-plashy puddles.

Everyone turns in a good performance, as is usual with TADS, and all the young people in the cast are to be congratulated.

Fairy Godmother is Kacey Pengilley, Dandini is Joe Webster. Baron Hardup is Lewis Dyson with Pauline Sibley being his unkind wife, Lady Devilia Hardup (boo, hiss).

James Singleton and Charlie Conner share the horse with other members of the cast being Ethan and Callum Sibley, Abigail Adams, Francesca Webster, Elton Rowe, Hugh Vincent, Sandra Chomiak, Lynne Nardell, Louise Taylor.

The junior chorus was Abigail Adams, Charlie Conner, Ruby Coven, Pearl Coven, Jams and Fraser Singleton, Lynne Maxwell, Georgina Radford-Lewis, Alice Smith, Francesca Webster.

Other parts were played by Ruby and Pearl Coven and Roger Sibley. Written by Ben Crocker, he studied drama at Exeter University and started his own theatre company, the Magnificent Theatre Company. In 1998 he became Artistic Director of the Northcott Theatre in Exeter until 2008.

He has directed more than 70 professional productions including panto. Ten years ago he began writing scripts, traditional stories with a modern feel.

Charles Pallot and Debbie Garrish share the job of director, Linda Bellshaw is the producer.

Charles joined the group in 2004 and this is his 25th show with TADS. This is the third time he and Debbie have worked together.

Debbie has taken most jobs with TADS, including often on stage, continuing the family tradition. Her mum was the late Shirley Garrish.