MANCHESTER AIRPORT ‘EXTRA’ IS THE STAR OF CINDERELLA
Paula Sawyer, aged 36, who lives in Handforth and works part-time on the Information Desk at Manchester Airport, had a ball when she won a ‘walk on’ part in The Lowry’s pantomime, Cinderella.
Paula won an exclusive competition in Planetalk, the airport’s staff magazine, arranged to celebrate Manchester Airports Group (MAG) sponsorship of The Lowry’s theatres programme. Only a member of staff at Manchester Airport could win this unique prize to go behind the scenes and make their stage debut in Cinderella at The Lowry alongside Coronation Street’s, Lucy-Jo Hudson and comedian Faith Brown.
Thrilled to hear that she was the lucky winner, Paula commented that she saw it as something new and an exciting challenge. “I’ve got to make the most of this as I’ll never get the opportunity to do something like this again!”
Paula arrived an hour before the matinee started for her stage briefing and costume fitting before watching the first act in the dress circle with her husband and two children. Then during the interval, feeling only slightly nervous, she changed into her costume in her own private dressing room and awaited her final call to the stage. In the opening ballroom scene of Act 2, Paula boldly walked onto stage, handed an invitation to Lord Chamberlain and announced, ”More guests are arriving Sir.”
Paula then remained in the wings to watch the rest of the show from the side of stage and see all the behind the scenes action of cast members including the hilarious fairy godmother, Janice Connolly, better known as Holy Mary in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights.
At the end of the show Faith Brown invited Paula back on stage to join the rest of the cast for a curtain call and introduced her to the audience. Paula’s thrilling experience concluded with having her photos taken with all the actors on stage.
Sue Jones, MAG’s Arts Sponsorship Manager commented: “As a long term supporter of The Lowry, we were delighted with this unique opportunity inviting a member of Manchester Airport staff to be involved in The Lowry’s pantomime.”
Afterwards Paula said “I had an absolutely fantastic time, I felt like a real star and it was all really wonderful.”
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) continues to show its commitment to The Lowry by supporting its theatres programme.
Cinderella
Pele Productions in association with The Lowry
Until 8 January 2006
Tickets £14 - £22 Family Tickets £32 - £72
Box office: 0870 787 5793
Posted on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 under Press Theatre Press