Cinderella

A little bit of math’s tells me that I've been watching pantomimes for 50 years or so, so it has to be something special to have me leaving the theatre excited, delighted and hoarse from yelling "Buttons your Rabbit" and "Oh no it isn’t !!!"

There are some charming dance routines created by Choreographer Bethany Kember and beautifully sung solos and chorus numbers, due to the talent of Peter Bailey Musical Director. Who ever knew the Ugly Sisters could hold a tune let alone sing it!! Gertrude and Griselda Ugly Sisters had great moments of comedy between them which balanced them perfectly together., should I say “Flanagan and Endicott”.. Proper panto dames seem hard to come by these days and they were top notch.

Lee Round, Director, took this refreshing Cinderella and his well-balanced talented cast to new heights in Medway pantomime, fine lighting effects and inventive back projection made this `Cinders’ flow along very smoothly. I loved it. Superb audience participation and a pace that just never slackened. Lee found a very worthy and talented Buttons in Lewis Mathews who steals the limelight. He has endless energy, a flair for ad-libs, can sing dance, act and projects well with confidence, which is vital in the part of Buttons. He was teamed well with Milly Longhurst who was perfect in every way as Cinders and matched Lewis, as did Amy Allen as Prince Charming in her duets with Cinders - these were superb. Once again Rachel Ann Crane as Baroness Hardup blew us away with her extraordinary voice.Jeni Boyns and Emma Hodge as Bodget and Legget gave us sterling performances, they gave us the groan jokes and their timing was good.

Supporting roles were all in keeping with the rest of the cast, the Graceful songstress Debbie Brennan as Fairy Godmother, Dandini Nicole Gillespie, Larry Davis Baron Hardup, Joe Warriilow as Chambers and, of course, Hagan the horse Dani Gilllespie and Aron Ramsden. Costumes were when one can't remember when writing a review, who sang what..I in keeping with the usual professionalism of Jo Kember and Julie Smith.

Programme was a little minimal but it told me nearly all I wanted to know, except I could have done with musical numbers, difficult am always greeted and treated well by GDS’s Jeanette Davis.

This Cinders has been one of the best pantomimes in my District (5) in recent years with real teamwork, a perfect blend of youth and experienced comedy routines.

Slick production featuring an exceptional dance team, soaring vocals and plenty of local humor. Congratulations go out to Lee Round on your first attempt at Directing, you were successful!! Well Done. Like Cinderella, I was having such a good time I didn't glance up at the clock. Before I knew it ,the party was over. It was out into the night with a crowd of happy, delighted families with huge grins on their faces.

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