Cinderella

Gemma Rodgerson opened proceedings as an amusing Fairy Godmother, an intentionally insecure, humorous incarnation of Cinderella’s guardian angel.  Beth Crame, a pretty and tuneful Cinders, had the audience on-side from the start.  Davie Lindsell was a loveable, amusing Buttons.  The only person unable to see his heart on his sleeve for Cinderella was, as usual, Cinders herself.  Lyndsey Fenn made a smart, crisp Prince Charming and (s)he and Beth made an attractive couple.  The Prince’s right-hand man was a Dandini with a difference.  Usually played quite straight, Leah Ashton played it for laughs.

Graham Oakes was an amusing, forgetful Baron Hardup, permanently bemused – very funny in character, even funnier slipping out of character to comment on proceedings.  How such a genial chap could saddle himself with a wife like the Evil Stepmother (played by Joan Purves) and her grotesque daughters (David Swinton as Wicked Wanda and Steven Bell as Rotten Rita) beggars belief.  Can he never see how foul they are to poor Cinders?

However, with Buttons and her Godmother’s assistance, Cinderella makes it to the Ball, and into the arms of the Prince.  The fairy coach and horse were wondrous!  They literally (well, not literally) flew over the stage and seemingly over the heads of the front rows.  Sadly, the magic disappeared when the clock chimed midnight, when Cinderella realised she had forgotten her Godmother’s warning.

Despite devious moves on the part of the Ugly Sisters, that glass slipper slips onto only one delicate foot.  The Prince and Cinderella are brought together to everybody’s satisfaction except, perhaps, poor Buttons.

Whitley Bay Pantomime Society puts on a big show.  Principals, chorus and dancers (seniors, juniors and tots) totalled 50.  Sets from Proscenium were excellent, especially that flying coach with the horse being supplied by 'Imagine Theatre'; costumes from Alan Graham and 'In Disguise' were impressive.  This was a show with high production values.  Andrew’s Clarence’s small but effective combo of four musicians kept the action moving.  The cast performed their musical numbers well, whether singing or dancing.  The humorous contributions from Gemma Rodgerson, Davie Linsdell, Leah Ashton, Graham Oakes, David Swinton and Stephen Bell were really amusing, running the gamut from subtle and quirky to broad and hilarious.  The audience left well entertained.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.