Hunstanton Primary's take on Cinderella toe-tally charming!

Year 6's end of year play makes the audience laugh, boo, cry and cheer

“You’ve a treat in store,” headteacher Mrs Sullivan announces, and she isn’t wrong. It’s time for the annual play by year 6’s, the 10 and 11 year olds who’re about to leave the Primary School.

Before the children take to the stage to perform Sherlock & Cinders (a take on Cinderella where Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson help find the foot that fits the glass slipper) some of them come to chat. Oakley, who’s playing Sherlock, is excited, “Because we get to perform in front of our parents after all the hard work we’ve done.”  His favourite part is when he ‘kicks it all off’ by saying the opening lines. Prince Charming (Leo) tells me 'he’s got to act like he’s in love with Cinderella’ which he’s a bit nervous about. When I ask if he’s a good actor he answers "no" (after seeing him perform I disagree).

The classroom is full of excitement and nerves. Rachel (Cinderella) says she’s ‘terrified’ and on hand is Miss Ashton to give a pep talk. “The most important thing now is you just enjoy all your hard work. If you’re worried you just have to look at the back of the hall, that’s where I am, if you’re feeling nervous speak to me, sing to me, dance to me and if you make a mistake just smile and carry on. And at the end just really enjoy taking your bows because you deserve all that applause.” She ends by asking if everybody has their feather boas.  Sounds promising.

Meantime the school hall is filling with parents, who seem just as apprehensive. Dr Watson’s mum (Charlie’s) says she’s ‘nervous for him, I just want it to go well because he’s worked so hard’, his dad says he’s ‘very proud’. I overhear someone’s nan say ‘get the box of tissues ready’ and a family opting to sit at the front because ‘I’ve got to be able to see her’. The lights go down and it begins.

The children open with a song and dance, and for the next hour or so they entertain (all have their feather boas to hand). After some initial nerves they’re full of smiles and enjoyment, the audience laughing, booing and cheering along. There’s everything you expect from a school play - waves from the side of the stage, smiles shared between children and parents and proud family members and teachers watching. And as someone who’s impartial, the pupils are brilliant.

“It’s just a really nice celebration of their time here,” Miss Ashton says. "It’s great for their confidence, we’ve seen them come out of their shell. Some of them have never danced before, a lot of them don’t sing very often and now they’re like their own little choir. I think they are phenomenal”.

They’ve spent 6 weeks learning the songs and dances and Freddie who’s Sergeant Bucket says he’ll feel sad when it’s all over. “It’s been my dream to act my whole life, so I love it especially doing it with my friends. When I was in year 5 I was like I can’t wait to do this next year. I don’t want it to end, once we get that last clap I will be a bit upset”. I’ve no doubt there are more performances in Freddie’s future (and many of these children's).

There’s plenty of applause at the end - and bowing (which the pupils definitely do enjoy). Elyssa tells me, “I’m really happy, it feels like we’ve accomplished something together.”  Ruby agrees and says the bows 'felt amazing'. I overhear one of the pupils say to Miss Ashton “I saw you had a tear in your eye, you can’t deny it”. And she didn’t.