27/01/2025

Lynda enthuses to Lilian about putting on Cinderella. She’s convinced it’s the right choice of panto. They just need a good script, and the star attraction, which is down to Joy.

Joy and Mick chat awkwardly about their future, and Mick wonders whether they should give themselves until the end of the week to decide whether their current living arrangement can continue. Joy talks about the panto and reveals that Berwick Kaler, the well know pantomime dame, is in town, and she wonders whether she might approach him. Mick warns Joy off of interfering, as she did with Rochelle. But Joy seeks out Berwick, and he turns down her request for him to perform for no money. Joy and Jazzer share some mutual frustration, as he’s caught between feuding Tracy and Susan; they should just have their scrap and get over themselves. Joy wonders if that would work for her and Mick. Later Mick confesses to Jazzer that Joy’s a mystery to him. In the spirit of helping, Mick organises a secret meeting with Berwick Kaler at the Bull, with Jazzer looking on intrigued. Berwick’s answer is still no, but Mick explains Joy’s motives. With some business over a piece of paper and mystery financial offer, Berwick seems ready to negotiate. Later, excited Joy informs Lynda and Lilian that Berwick has changed his mind; she has secured her star. Joy worries briefly that other potential cast members might be intimidated, but when news spreads they’re inundated with volunteers to play the other Ugly Sister – they’ll have to have a Dame-off!