Alan P Frayn's 'Cinderella'

What a wonderful way to celebrate a 50th Anniversary performing an updated version of ‘Cinderella’ with Director Jackie having performed in the very first one, and her Granddaughter’s debut in this production. 

A most attractive turquoise and lilac, A5, easy to read, explicit programme was produced by multi-tasking Naomi Berwick. A buzzing bar, before Jackie, in costume, welcomed the audience and gave her housekeeping notes - the enduring tale of rags to riches commenced with a modern script, lively musical numbers and much humour.

Sarah Champneys as sparkling Fairy G was in command. Laura Gale portrayed a kindly young Cinderella, seeming quite happy until her father, cash poor Baron Hardup, Toby Champneys in an excellent powdered wig marries a woman of means or at least that’s what he thought, but the package came with two of the ugliest and cruellest daughters to boot! Costumes and wigs galore and makeup superb, Nick Jeal was a natural as Gertrude pairing with Richard Pierce a flirtatious Grizelda playing up to an unsuspecting gent in the audience! Lovestruck loyal Buttons was played by Paul Desrosiers, with his usual thoroughness and strong singing voice and encouraged our shouting every time someone ‘bothered’ his delightful little bunny box and the waving of the bunny hand puppet held by the children and me! Harriet Berwick was smartly turned out in purple doublet as gallant Prince Charming but pretending to be Dandini, falls for Cinderella whilst walking in the forest. Loyal Dandini was played by Ollie Pierce, who had some great asides with wonderful prompt Sheila Gault sitting in the corner.  A Ball is prepared,  invitations delivered to the ladies of the land and the nasties tear Cinderella’s ticket up.  Fairy G to the rescue - magics a gorgeous gown, slippers, plus decorated carriage with the proviso she must leave by the stroke of midnight. She disappears with only her slipper left behind  A search for the owner ensues and eventually all’s well that ends well.  We experienced delightful little fairies dancing, Haden the Horse trotting, in good voice jolly village folk, woodland creatures, ghosts and a couple of very iffy construction engineers Russell Hall as Bodget teamed with Bridget Newick as Leggett who provided a great plank and wall papering slapstick sketch. We had a water display from two sizes of pistols and nearly from a hosepipe!  There was shouting when Button’s bunny was bothered, plenty of booing when the Baroness appeared, amazing costume and wig changes for the terrible two, bright musical numbers, and of course audience participation, and some nicely co-ordinated movement.  The Major-domo was Chambers played by Dan Putman who certainly expanded his lungs with aplomb for his  royal proclamations.

The set was of good design from Kate Gale and beautifully painted, with members as the construction team, depicting Stoneybroke Village, interior of the Baron’s home complete with fire grate and rabbit box with dangling carrots, a forest of trees and a beautiful sweeping staircase in the opulent Royal Palace. Large props were provided by Lindsey Ravillious and included an exploding oven, cleverly designed carriage, a trolley with square wheels, hobby horses, the all-important clock, a huge hammer and more besides.  Naomi Berwick must be congratulated for so many beautiful costumes and deserves a medal for the years of work in this department.  Using amazing patterns of material for the ugly sisters for example, came from duvet covers! They were colourful, well designed and fitted each character perfectly. An appeal for new costumes came in the form of a Pot of Gold – the winner receiving half the takings, working well for FPDS as well as the lucky recipient.

With well-rehearsed business, hearty tunes, neat choreography by Pippa Sheppard, also playing the scary Baroness, together with Anneka Desrosiers tight stage management,  good lighting, sound/special effects designed and operated by Ray Hodges with Pauline Ball, this was certainly an evening to remember.

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