Cinderella

Burton Amateur Stage Entertainers last night brought us their production of Peter Denyer's Cinderella, a real treat for both my wife Jan and myself.

A treat in as much as it was a lovely trip down memory lane, we were quite overwhelmed with nostalgia. We were sat near to a brownie troop, whose enthusiasm, engagement and sheer enjoyment of the show was infectious, reminding us very much of our own panto performances over the years to similar bodies of juniors.

A well cast Buttons – Peter Bourne, had a really good rapport with the audience, his delivery and timing were superb. 

Similarly, Cinderella, Gemma Collins, was lovely, a really sweet interpretation, the villagers loved her as did the audience. All is going well until the arrival of her new mother-in-law.

The Baroness, Sarah Goodall, strong singing voice, I would have liked to have heard more of her singing. Who when not being horrible to everyone, was doting on her darling, precious daughters the ugliest of sisters, Grizelda and Mona; Craig Poxon and Nick Holburn. The wonderfully awful water pistol toting sisters were complete over the top funsters.

Ken Dawson, as Baron Hardup, a well played though decidely under the thumb new husband, who somehow managed to deliver some witty one liners inbetween dodging acerbic barbs from the haughty Baroness.

Prince Charming, Callie Burley; together with her buddy in waiting Dandini, Chloe Horton, had some really good interplay, well worked.

All proceedings marshalled under the watchful eyes of Fairy Godmother, Ruth Murfin.

The dancers were used really effectively, smiles all round, all well engaged in their performances and it came across to the audience, a few line-up issues if I were to be really picky, this may simply be a matter of stage space, as the full cast on for some of the bigger musical numbers may have been more restrictive than the rehearsal space, well done to choreographers Sam Uche and Callie Burley.

Again being picky on the full company numbers a few times lead singers lines were lost a little. Although I think one of the stage front mics may have been depositioned by an errant feather boa.

A tip of the hat to the wardrobe department led by Linda Gaunt, the costumes and changes were fantastic. It really emphasised the settings and action on stage.

Great support from the rest of the cast, some well chosen songs, had the audience joining in singing along. Keyboard accompianist Alex Priestly added some amusing parts as well.

Produced and Directed by Martin Goodall and Jodie Swann, together with their respective teams brought a real focus to the show from all involved, and it showed from the stage to the audience. Some great songs, very well presented.

Cinderella was a lavish and thoroughly enjoyable show, masses of audience participation, Jan and I even got a shout out to Buttons.“Oh yes we did”!

Super stuff BASE.

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