Nevada Conservatory Theatre presents a special performance of "Cinderella: a Pantomime for Las Vegas" for the campus community at 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. British director Laura James leads the creation of this reimagining of the classic Cinderella fairy tale in the style of the British panto where slapstick, hilarity, and irreverent humor reign supreme.
Cinderella wants to go to the ball. Her stepmother wants to keep her from going. Can her fairy godmother help her get to the party of the year? Set in a mythical kingdom that looks a lot like Las Vegas, this wacky and ridiculous world premiere production will delight families of all ages.
The British Pantomime (Panto for short) is a long-standing holiday tradition in the United Kingdom. Filled with music, broad physical humor, uproarious spectacle, and just plain fun, “Pantos“ are comical retellings of well-known fairy tales for audiences of all ages. Ripe with satire and contemporary references, the humor hits adults and children on different levels making for a lively and excited production.
"The Panto experience is about bringing the community together," said NCT executive director Kirsten Brandt. "I am thrilled to have this whimsical production, tailored for our Las Vegas community, launch this holiday season."
James has developed this world premiere with Department of Theatre actors and faculty to craft a uniquely Las Vegas spin on the Panto tradition. She is a director and educator originally from the UK, now living in France who was raised in the community Pantomime tradition which led onto a professional performing career. After obtaining her degree at the University of Birmingham, UK, she toured extensively in musical theatre making it her priority to combine a love of exploring with work where possible. She performed around the UK, France, Germany, USA, Qatar, China, Australia, and Canada.
James ran a company called Theatre Tots for 15 years, directing and touring musical shows around the UK, USA, Qatar and China for children ages 0-6 years old and their families. This led to creating and running a children’s complex in London called Under 1 Roof which housed a theatre and a preschool. She created and directed for the theatre and acted of head of school for the preschool until moving to France in 2021 with her family.
James is now the Head of Early Years for the International Curriculum Association which takes her around the world to schools and institutions. She also co-runs the English-Speaking Youth Theatre in France for whom she teaches and directs shows year round with children aged 5-21.
Making their Nevada Conservatory Theatre debut alongside Laura James are international artists Scenic Designer Ashley Sharp (based in Liverpool, England) and Composer Haddon Kime (based in Edinburgh, Scotland) and Los Angles based sound designer Elton Bradman. NCT favorite and Vegas Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Daz Weller plays the evil step sister “Hahara Hovel”.
Tickets are $30 and available at unlv.edu/pac or by calling 702-895-ARTS (2787). Discounts are available.
About the UNLV College of Fine Arts
The UNLV College of Fine Arts, one of the nation's largest fine arts colleges, boldly launches visionaries who transform the global community through collaboration, scholarship, and innovation. Established in 1992, the UNLV CFA encompasses the departments of art, dance, film, theatre, the School of Music, School of Architecture, Entertainment Engineering & Design, and is home to the Performing Arts Center, Nevada Conservatory Theatre, and Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art.
We illuminate the power of the arts amid breathtaking advancements in science and technology. In doing so, we are creating a global destination at the forefront of transforming arts and design. To accomplish this we encourage agency, inventiveness, problem-solving, and big-idea thinking in our students, faculty, and staff. We make education relevant through evolving curriculum and effective learning outcomes.
