‘Will Cinderella be able to break free from her wicked stepmother, Sadista, and her two ugly stepsisters, Adorabella and Fruitella, to attend the Prince’s Ball? Will the Prince ever find true love, or be destined to roam the land with his trusty servant Dandini forever? Will Buttons eventually learn to cook something other than toast?”

You’ll see from the Kennington Amateur Dramatic Society press release that theirs is a traditional family panto. There is one exception, though — the ugly sisters are not men in drag but played by Becca Penfold and Hannah Quinn.

Claire Goodchild is Cinders. Buttons and the prince are played by David Buckmaster and Adam Biggs.

I remember a very young Adam Biggs and his mother, Margaret, in The Beggars of Bagley Woods, KADS first panto in 1979. I noticed quite a few of the 1979 cast still taking part. On the other hand the youngest of the Wendy Melson dancers is just six. KADS productions are slick and professional compared with those early years, but they have maintained the community ethos — everyone is welcome to take part. For the past 12 years, the scripts have been written by KADS impresario Joe Graham. His scripts are also used in the professional theatre and his Cinderella was first performed at the Watford Palace Theatre.

There is an array of foot-tapping musical numbers and a cast of 36 plus the dancers.

KADS generally play to full houses — so book your tickets before it is too late. The quality of the productions is evident in the fact that KADS panto is nearly always one of the three winners in the Oxfordshire Drama Network pantomime competition.

Cinderella is at Kennington Village Centre from tomorrow until January 28, evenings 7.30pm, matinees at 2pm. Full details on www.kenningtonads.org.uk