TWO technical wizards from Knutsford are working their magic on Clonter Opera’s debut panto Cinderella.

Steven and son Matthew Benson are lighting up the stage and keeping the sound in check for the panto’s week-long stint on the Swettenham stage.

Steven, who has worked as a producer and director at the BBC for over 20 years, has been doing lighting at Clonter Opera for several years and jumped at the chance to get involved with the project.

He said: “The common perception is that panto is less demanding than ordinary theatre because of its humour and slapstick character, but technically this is as challenging as anything I've done with many voices and music to balance, not to mention copious sound effects.”

Steven’s son Matthew, who is currently completing a masters in Electrical Engineering at Southampton University, is helping run the lighting for the ten performances.

The 22-year-old said: “I've been preparing for this event for almost a year, juggling it round a busy university schedule.

“Although I'm not planning a career in event lighting, working with my dad has given the experience to consider continuing freelance lighting in the future.”

This is not the duo's debut; the pair have just finished a successful run at Knutsford Academy providing the technical resources for the  school’s production of Hairspray.

Cinderella will be performed at Clonter Opera until Christmas Eve.  For more information or to book tickets call 07594 951 550 or visit wwproductions.co.uk.