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Cinderella

Author: Tessa Davies for Vicki Avery

Information

Date
9th January 2019
Society
Broxbourne Theatre Company
Venue
Spotlight Theatre Broxbourne
Type of Production
Pantomime
Director
Maureen
Musical Director
Charlie Wakely
Choreographer
Angie Frost

It was a pleasure to be invited to review Broxbourne’s pantomime. The Director, Maureen Stretch, has produced a very traditional pantomime with a great cast.  This was the first night, so the pace was a little slow and the audience were not very responsive, so the principals had to work really hard to get them to participate.

The Principals were, in the main, seasoned panto performers and this was evident in the way they were able to improvise and then get back ‘on script’.   It was an interesting script, I have never seen Dandini made a villain before, but it does work well.

Mary Kenealy made a delightful Cinderella, although I suspect at least one of the songs was not in her natural key as she seemed to struggle a bit.  She looked lovely though and her characterisation was spot on.  Carly McHugh played Prince Charming and it was clear that she has the panto Principal Boy role nailed!  A strong performance with everything the audience want to see in the role.  Andy Birtey( (Minnie Mumm) and Ollie Pajak (Maxie Mumm) were a great pairing as the Ugly Sisters, they worked really hard to get the audience involved but it was an uphill struggle (more about that later). Scott Welch was excellent as Buttons; another experienced panto performer and he was endearing and funny.  Katy Bovaird was the aforementioned Dandini, the ‘baddy’ aspect of her character was a surprise, but she gave a good performance throughout.

Graham Duncan (Baron Mumm) and Alex Rolle (Baroness Mumm) made an excellent pairing.   Although there was some hesitancy in both performances, they delivered the characters well.  The principal line up was competed by Sarah-Louise Levy (Fairy Godmother) and David Curling (Major Domo) two good portrayals.

The Ensemble was very good, although the volume of the ensemble singing made me suspect that one or two were not projecting enough!  The dancers were good and a special mention for Helen Brooks’ beautiful En Pointe ballet performance.  The young dancers were excellent and a credit to their Dance School principal, Jason.

The songs seemed a little random and, whilst I struggled to recognise the modern pop songs, I certainly did recognise one or two songs from other musicals, some of which seemed a bit outdated.  I was very surprised to note that the MD and Director had not included Baby Shark in the production.  Yes, it is an annoying song but, when I have seen it used in other pantos, it got the audience to their feet and the children participating fully.  I suspect that, if it had been used early in the show, the audience participation would have been better, and the Principals would not have struggled so much!

The scenery was fine, as it should be having been supplied by a professional scenery provider.    However, I would question whether the Director checked the sightlines.  I was seated on the extreme side of the auditorium and was unable to see the characters that were presented just on stage left, including the coach!   I also found that the two mirrored dressing tables completely blocked my view of the Ugly Sisters when they sat behind them.   It might have been better if they had been placed at an angle facing each corner of the stage or, better still, that the mirror part had been removed.   The costumes were beautiful, again provided, in the main, by a professional costume company.  

The band were good under the direction of MD Charlie Wakely and, despite being a small group, they made a good sound which supported the singing well.  Sound was, in the main, affective, mics were, generally turned on in time.  The lighting was effective, and the transformation was well done.  Perhaps the Cinderella ‘stand in’ could have been more downstage as it took me a while to spot her during the ballet and I was looking for her!  Maybe even put a spot on her to emphasise that Cinderella was still ‘on stage’.

Overall, a delightful evening’s entertainment, it’s a pity that the audience was not larger but, hopefully, they increased as the run progressed. Thank you for your hospitality, I would love to come back again.

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