School to end on a high

As the curtain falls on the happy ending of Cinderella - The Pantomine it represents a new beginning for drama teacher Trudie Ashford.

Trudie says this will be the last performance of the Trudie Ashford Drama School as she and her family are leaving New Zealand and moving to England.

"I wanted the school to go out with a bang, a performance that was big and over the top and a pantomime was the best way to do that."

Trudie says she started teaching drama 11 years ago. "I wanted to help children build their confidence and seeing how well these students have taken to the stage I know my job is done".

Trudie says while pantomimes are usually performed by an adult cast, the students have taken it in their stride.

"It was a bit of a challenge at first getting the show to the right level of over the top, but I can see that they all love their roles now."

The choice of Cinderella as the final performance was an easy one says Trudie.

"It follows the traditional fairy tale but with a few re-writes by me and the cast."

She adds it will be a great show for young and old, "there is fairy tale for the younger members of audience and an innuendo or two for the adults".

Trudie says that she has also been helped out by a "very dedicated" co-director. 20-year-old Renee O'Sullivan has been Trudie's "go to gal" and says she hopes to one day teach drama students too.

Trudie says Cinderella - The Pantomime has been a real group effort by all of her drama students, "everyone has been working hard for eight weeks and we are all looking forward to feedback on the performance".

Cinderella - The Pantomime: TET Kings Theatre, Thursday March 26 - Saturday, March 29 at 7pm and matinee performance on Sunday, March 30 at 2pm. Tickets: $10 per adult and $5 per child (under 12 years old).

To book: contact Trudie on 027 924 8127.