East Durham College has hailed its latest panto season an huge success

First and second-year students on a range of creative industry-related courses, as well as Foundation Degree students put on ten “fantastic performances” of Cinderella at the college’s Lubetkin Theatre, in Peterlee.

The creative industries department put on a pantomime-week every January as part of the students’ courses to provide them with valuable experience of planning, organising and performing live theatre for the general public.

As well as learning their lines and routines they also had the responsibility of producing the set, organising costumes, props, lighting and sound, as well as suggesting choreography ideas, keeping to budget and selling tickets and refreshments.

Lecturer in creative industries at East Durham College, Billy Nicholson, hailed the show as a tremendous success and praised the students for their hard work in the lead up to the week and their “great performances on stage and behind-the-scenes”.

He said : “We have had some wonderful feedback for people who saw the show, both young and old.

“The panto is invaluable in terms of vocational training as well as an enriching experience for our students.

“The whole team who took part have been absolutely brilliant. I so proud of the hard work and dedication they put in to make this year another huge success and a top quality show.

“I would like to thank everyone who came to see the show over the last week; the students loved performing to a packed house at every show.”

Student Scott Dugdale, 17, from Shotton Colliery, who played Dandini, added: “Being part of the pantomime was an incredible experience I will never forget.

“I had the pleasure of working alongside a fantastic cast, with support from a superb production team. Each and every rehearsal and performance was as fun as it was intense.”

Children from Blackhall, Cotsford, Coxhoe, Easington and Shotton Hall Primary Schools came along to see the show during a series of six matinee performances.