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Hatters lend their support to Cinderella Jane
Team promise a night at The Grove panto.
THE Grove's Cinderella is a local lass made good.
Jane Ledsom comes from Bedford and her dad's company actually built the theatre. She's best known locally as the voice of Luton Town.
The football fanatic had recorded two singles and a video in support of The Hatters and is making her panto debut as Cinders.
There's talk that the first team and their families will be coming to see the show so Jane can't wait.
"I'm beside myself with excitement. I can't wait to appear as Cinders, she said.
"I'm sure I will suffer from some nerves but this is such a fun production and everyone is so supportive that I'm hoping that it's just going to be very exciting.
"Basil Brush is my hero and I can't wait to be working with him. With his quick wit and sharp comments he's be supporting me and getting those Ugly Sisters."
Jane got the football bug aged eight. "My dad was an Everton fan and my mum a Liverpool fan and I was going up to Anfield and Goodison Park and I liked it – ish.
"But the moment I went to Kenilworth Road, and that's quite a different sort of stadium, I fell instantly in love. There was no turning back. I wouldn't be anywhere else on a Saturday afternoon."
Jane's life outside panto is frantic. As well as acting she's a primary school teacher, a sports pundit on local radio and satellite TV, a part-time model and recorded singer. She's also, at the age of 33, started to learn ballet.
"When I auditioned for this I was going for second rat on the left. I certainly didn't think I stood a chance of getting the part of Cinderella.
"I was bowled over with the community spirit here and The Grove has a tremendous reputation. It's a great asset for the town and I amazed to find my dad's company, SDC Builders, put it up."
Basil Brush is a legend in his own lifetime. A blatant self-publicist and larger-than-life fox who stole the show at The Grove's opening gala night two years ago and a family favourite.
He stars as Buttons in Cinderella and Basil's guaranteed to bring the house down.
Interviewing him is very disconcerting. We sneak into the auditorium of The Grove for a few minutes alone together.
He likes to get up close and personal, often sticking his little snout into your face. I now know how Michael Parkinson felt when trying to interview the wretched Emu.
He's terribly flirtatious – for a fox.
"I'm very popular at the moment because there isn't a lot of family entertainment where parents can come along and have a laugh as much as the kids," he said.
Basil is smarting at the moment from losing out to George Clooney for the starring role in the film Fantastic Mr Fox.
"I'd have thought they need a fantastic fox. Who do we know who is fantastic? And they'd have come to me.
"I don't mind. I can let others have a bit of the limelight because I usually take most of it!
"But I'm really looking forward to panto. When you do television, and I do a lot of it, you can't see the whites of their eyes.
"In this auditorium where we're sitting in the back row – but not kissing of course – the audience shout up comments and I instantly hear them.
"I love to see the smiles on the boys and girls faces and we'll all have a great time.
"I've never played Buttons before and I'm so excited because it's the children's favourite. I know I'll get the biggest cheer on the night.
"I've changed the script so that I get to marry Cinderella – but we'll see what happens on the night!"
Cinderella runs from December 11 until January 3. For tickets and information contact the box office 01582 602080 or go online www.grovetheatre.co.uk
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