Oh no, they didn’t! Oh yes, they did!
Last month saw Greenbank Preparatory School in Cheadle Hulme raise the curtain on their inaugural staff pantomime, Cinderella!
A well-kept secret for many months, a group of mostly willing and able members of staff sportingly agreed to tread the boards for one night only, raising nearly £2000 for Greenbank’s parents’ association, Friends of Greenbank.
Rehearsals began after the Christmas holidays and weren’t without their trials and tribulations. Cinderella herself was struck down with COVID-19 and had to miss two weeks of rehearsals, which certainly meant that the pressure was on for the cast to pull together and put on a polished performance.
Staff members from all over the school offered their support, taking on not only the on-stage roles but also roles as set designers, prop manufacturers and wardrobe tailors. Greenbank’s very own leading lady, Director of Drama and seasoned actor Adele Firth, who masterminded, scripted and directed the whole show, was rightly over the moon with the performance and with her cast.
Adele said, ‘Anyone involved with education knows just how busy school staff are, and so the fact that so many people cheerfully and willingly gave up their precious spare time to do such a fantastic thing for the school and for the children and parents is marvellous. We were up to the wire, but it was an absolute triumph!’
Head Teacher Malcolm Johnson, who himself is no stranger to being in the public eye as an ex-Olympic athlete, donned a new cap, or rather a frock, for his role as Euphoria, one of the ugly sisters.
Malcolm said, ‘I can certainly say that being on the stage as an actor was unfamiliar territory for me! But getting to spend time with other members of staff also outside of their comfort zones and seeing first hand their dedication and love for the school was wonderful. I’m proud of the whole team, and it was lovely to see the enjoyment on the faces of the children and their parents.’
The pantomime was a brilliant success as a fundraiser and the FOG committee are delighted to use the funds raised from ticket sales, the licensed bar and the sweet stall to purchase a fantastic new adventure trail, to be built on the school field next term, for all the pupils to enjoy.
But will Greenbank’s new theatrical side line become a regular date in the school’s diary? ‘Never say never!’ laughs Malcolm. ‘We certainly won’t be closing the curtain on that as an option just yet!
