The Gist
The story is quite well-known. Cinderella is an orphan living with her stepmother Frieda Frumpkin and two daughters Thelma and Gertrude Frumpkin. Though poorly treated in a hostile home environment, Cinderella is still hardworking and respectful. In addition, Cinderella is beautiful.

The King has a ball to enable his son find a wife; the Frumpkin daughters are invited, much to their mother's delight. Cinderella, originally off the list of invitees, is asked to the ball by Prince Philip when he accidentally meets her in the garden. Cinderella's problem with the invitation is, of course, that she has no fine clothes to wear.

On the day of the ball Cinderella is left alone at home, and as she laments her fate, her 'fairy godmother' appears and brings her joy by granting Cinderella's wish to attend the ball and to dance with the Prince.

Cinderella, though late, makes it to the ball, and stuns everyone by dancing with the Prince. However, her magical clothes are valid only until midnight, and close to the minute Cinderella has to dash out of the ball, leaving one silver slipper behind in the rush.

The Prince, evidently in love with this mysterious dancer, hunts for the owner of the slipper, finds Cinderella, marries her, and they live together happily ever after, which ostensibly means that they live on now, and I guess that makes the play relevant for all time.

The Performance
The play was directed by Bianca T Briandt, with Obenewah Osei-Nkansah as Cinderella, Philip Fiifi Coleman as Prince Philip, Joyce Gyebi as Frieda Frumpkin, Selina Oscar as Thelma Frumpkin and Ivy Nartey as Gertrude Frumpkin.

The first thought I had, on seeing a notice of the upcoming production, was of a silver slipper. I wondered why a 'toddlers bedtime fairy tale' would be theatre fare for University students. I was rather surprised to find that many people came to see the play, with the Amphitheatre filled almost to capacity.

The audience seemed to have a rich time of it as well - I could hear giggles and laughter from almost every direction. Apart from the acting, the costumes also served to lighten the event.

'Cinderella' turned out to be one of the best productions I have seen this semester. The actors were certainly able to capture and hold the attention of the audience, and it I think it made me understand that it is not so much the storyline, but the quality of the performance, that makes a great play.

Ruth Adjei for kpokplomaja.com