CINDERELLA – THE ASH GIRL
A new work written for Playbox by Holly Robinson – alumna and playwright.
06/12/2023
For 24 years, Christmas at The Dream Factory has been the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ as the whole complex reflects the magic of the season and welcomes audiences old and new to the Christmas Production.
‘CINDERELLA – The Ash Girl’ is an original new work especially written for the company by Playbox Alumna Holly Robinson, whose first play ‘soft animals’ was written as part of the Soho Writers’ Lab programme and opened at Soho Theatre in February 2019 to both critical and popular acclaim. Holly has been commissioned to retell this very familiar fairy-tale for today’s audiences at The Dream Factory. Holly said;
“Playbox Theatre was my first theatrical home, and I am absolutely delighted to return with this adaptation of Cinderella. Sharing this magic, complicated, hopeful story with the young actors has been a joy and I’m excited to experience the wonder they have been creating with director Emily Quash”.
Director, Emily Quash, has enjoyed the whole creative process, “Taking on the Christmas production at Playbox is an opportunity that I both relish and fear in equal measure! It’s a huge responsibility, ensuring that we create a piece of theatre that delivers audiences the perfect festive treat. The approach I always turn to is remembering trips to the theatre that I loved best of all as a child, and recalling how those experiences made me feel, and how their inspiration has stayed with me my whole life…Peter Pan at RSC in 1982 was a piece of theatre magic that I draw upon time after time! If I can help to make someone’s Christmas theatre visit even a fraction as wonderful, then I will be so happy. With ‘Cinderella’ this year, I have been working with the most magnificent cast and team of young Assistant Directors…we’ve had the best time bringing Holly Robinson’s beautiful play to life, and we are now excited to bring it to audiences at The Dream Factory”.
Over 50 young people, aged between 10 and 19, create this spectacular production, set to premier on Saturday 16th December. Performances are as follows;
Saturday 16th December (3pm and 7pm)
Sunday 17th December (3pm)
Thursday 21st December (7pm)
Friday 22nd December (7pm)
Saturday 23rd December (3pm and 7pm)
Sunday 24th December (11am)
Thursday 28th December (3pm)
Friday 29th December (3pm)
Saturday 30th December (3pm and 7pm)
Box Office: 01926 419555 or book online at www.playboxtheatre.com
Tickets: £18/£10/£8
15-year-old Abbey Elston is Cinderella, with Esme Fleeman (17), Elysia Sully (17), Amelie Friess (18), Elliot Barlow (17) and Ed Buckley (18), alongside many others, in the production created by Artistic Director, Emily Jane Quash and written by Holly Robinson.
About Playbox Theatre
Playbox Theatre is a creative organisation developing theatre, artistic training and performance for and with young people. The company’s members range from 3–19 years.
