South Yorkshire Times, December 13, 1947

Over-Forties’ Panto
Riotous Denaby Burlesque

A great-grandmother, three grandmothers, and two grandfathers were members of the cast of burlesque pantomime “Cinderella” which delighted large audiences in Denaby Church Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday. All players were over 40 and the producer, Mr. T Holcroft, had to undertake the part of Prince Charming a fortnight before the play was staged. The cast was composed of member- and friends of the Church Lilting fund committee.

Mr. Holcroft told the “South Yorkshire Times” that the pantomime started as a joke but it had proved a surprising success.

After the show on Tuesday each member of the cast received a gift from an anonymous donor. Mrs. M. Clarke and Mrs J Roberts handed over the gifts

Principal characters were, Cinderella (Mrs. J. Williamson) Birdie Mrs. E. Wathev (a grandmother). Baby; Mr. Fred ‘Wheatley (a grandfather) Buttons Mr Jack Snipe (a grandfather) Prince Charming (Mr T. Holcroft), Fairy Queen (Mrs. E Millar), chorus and dancers: Mrs. Sheldrake (a great-grandmother), Mrs.. Mee ( a grandmother). Mrs. Joyner ( a grandmother), Mrs. Lote, Mrs Wathey, Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Miller, Mr. S Lote, and Mr. J Snipe. Mrs J. A. Booth was accompanist. Prompter was Mrs. T. Holcroft.

The cast have accepted invitations to repeat the pantomime at Conisbrough Over Sixties Club next week and for patients at Fullerton Hospital in , Christmas week.

Producer and cast of the pantomime deserve congratulations on the success of the show. There were many obstacles to overcome, such as lack of scenery, but the audience were too busy laughing to notice that.

Acrobatic dancing was by Miss Marjory Jackson.

Other items in the programme were songs by Miss May Naismith, (soprano) Mrs. Kathleen Barker (contralto), and Mrs. Barker, Dickens character sketches by Mr Holcroft’ conjuring by Frank Hibberd, and two items by an instrumental trio (Mr. J. Goodier, Mrs. C. J. Pickett, and Mr. F. Yates) Accompanists were Mrs. Joyce Parker and Mrs. C. J. Pickett, Compere was the Ven M Clarke (vicar).

Proceeds were for Parish Church Funds and St. Christopher’s Church of England Children’s Nursery.