Raunchy satire on Cinderella livestreaming from Worthing and Brighton Fringe

University of Chichester Conservatoire’s Musical Theatre Festival company presents the rarely seen raunchy Stiles and Drewe satire on the Cinderella story, Soho Cinders on Sunday, May 16 with two livestreams at 7.30pm from Worthing’s Connaught Theatre.
Soho CindersSoho Cinders
Soho Cinders

It will also stream at the Brighton Fringe’s opening weekend.

Student producer and cast member Connor Dickson said: “This will be our second live-stream from the Connaught Theatre and follows the huge success of our sister production in March where we reached well over a thousand people. Building on that and with the support of the former Soho Cinders’ West End cast who are following and sharing our social media, we are anticipating having a bit of a hit on our hands.

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“Stiles and Drewe have gained the reputation as the UK 21st century’s Rodgers and Hammerstein with a number of celebrated pieces behind them including Betty Blue Eyes, Honk! Peter Pan and the Just So stories.

“While Soho Cinders borrows from their penchant for classic tales for a younger audience, this is very much and adult show with adult themes.

“Set in contemporary London’s Soho, it follows the fortunes of impoverished student Robbie who becomes romantically involved with engaged London Mayoral candidate James Prince, whose lap-dancing step-sisters soon become the least of his problems! James and Robbie's worlds collide, forcing them to fight for their own fairy-tale ending.”

James Guild, who plays Robbie in the show, said: “Our rehearsal period has been an excellent experience giving the best possible preparation to for our ever-changing theatre industry and although nothing will truly beat that atmosphere of live performance, the livestream allows us to reach a broader audience and those who wouldn’t normally be able to travel to the south coast to see the show!”

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Lillie Shelley, a member of the ensemble, added: “This show is also incredibly relevant… although being ‘out and proud’ is more accepted nowadays, seeing such strong representation through a popular art form reinforces the message that we’re all in this together.”

Senior lecturer Paul Ackerley added: “Celebrating London's most diverse district and mixing politics, sex-scandals and true love, the production features a West End live band under musical director Stuart Hutchinson in superb original songs that have real narrative finesse mixing zinging one-liners with emotional depth.

“Plan for an outrageously entertaining evening fizzing with the celebrated energy of the Conservatoire's Festival company, the elan of Miranda Kingsley’s direction and Wendy White’s choreography to complement Stuart’s musical direction bringing the infectious score to life. You'll be humming it long past the stroke of midnight!”

The show premieres from The Connaught Theatre, Worthing on Sunday, May 16. The livestream performances can be bought for 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

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The Worthing tickets are available from the Alexandra Theatre in Bognor: https://alexandratheatre.co.uk/event/soho-cinders/

The Brighton dates are Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29, both at 7.30. Tickets from Brighton Fringe.

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