The UK wine trade's very own pantomime Vinderella is less than a week away. You may remember Walter Speller's call for volunteers back in September. The permanent cast, including wine writer and singer Charles Metcalfe, shown here, have all been rehearsing like mad and have even pulled in extras on various nights such as Michael Broadbent, Hugh Johnson, Jasper Morris MW, Tim Stanley-Clarke, Adam Brett Smith and even me. 
Simon Berry of Berry Bros, an amateur thesp himself, has been chairman of the Benevolent and has been heavily involved in this initiative, designed to raise funds for the wine trade charity. He promises that 'it sounds as if it's going to be a lot of fun, and will give your subscribers the chance to heckle various eminent members of the wine trade with impunity.'
Tom Lidbetter and Alex Hunt of Berkmann are responsible for the songs and music while Daniel Illsley of the appropriately named Theatre of Wine is responsible for the script.
This specially commissioned work is being staged on four evenings next week at the John McIntosh Theatre at the London Oratory School, Seagrave Road SW6, from next Wednesday 20 Jan until Saturday 23 Jan.
Tickets start at £10 and are available via the Benevolent – 0207 089 3888, or online at www.thebenevolent.org.uk