Cinderella

Cinderella

Honiton Community Theatre Company
A pantomime by Jack Northcott

Directed by Beth Hibbert

Musical Director: Ian Crew

Choreographer: Alexie Kyriacou

The Beehive, Honiton

Tuesday 19th February 2019

The packed hall at the Beehive augured well for the opening night of this production, the “front of house” announcement certainly set the tone for the fun to come, and together with a fervent Fairy ensured for plenty of audience participation from the word go!  A large cast of predominantly young people, and a young production team brought a massive amount of energy and enthusiasm to the show, which was maintained right to the end – well certainly on the first night. A female Buttons set the story at a cracking pace, establishing a good rapport with the audience using a song intro as a running gag. The Ugly Sisters, Annabella and Belladonna made a stunning first entrance and throughout were dressed in an array of amazing costumes and wigs, all “tastefully” co-ordinated, and shoes to die for! The quick change into Abba “look alikes” for their rendition of Gimme Gimme Gimme worked very well, and caused great surprise, but perhaps needed to be a little earlier in their opening scene.  There was no mistaking with these two that they were “blokes in frocks” and the audience was delighted with their interaction and the rivalry between each other. Pri Madonna, the wicked step-mother, was suitably scary in a leopard skin ensemble, but unusually subdued in her choice of ball-gown – perhaps not to upstage her daughters! Prince Charming was played earnestly and with sincerity, and in this production as is tradition by a young lady, and was well complemented by another young lady as Dandini - a role played with confidence, a twinkle in the eye and good stage presence. Cinderella was sweet and unassuming and as the story dictates got her Prince in the end - the costume change from scullery maid to ball gown was very cleverly done. As is usual with HCTC this was very much an ensemble piece with a strong chorus of young people who were given plenty to do. They certainly made their mark in cameo roles as Palace Chefs and Forest Creatures, there was even an Irish mouse, all good encouragement for the future.

This was not a script in the usual Cinderella tradition and at times the storyline did seem to get lost amongst a roller-coaster of running-gags, jokes and song and dance. With hindsight too perhaps more could have been made of the “fitting of the slipper” scene, which in this production took place in the forest. A “handy” bench from the wings would have been useful, particularly for Belladonna with her false third leg, and for Cinderella to have “magically” produced the matching slipper would have added to the moment.  Never the less all the excellent choreography and up-beat numbers were very much appreciated by the audience, and the musical medley in Act II with the Pink Panther, Benny Hill and YMCA was particularly well received. The simple scenery was in typical panto style, scene changes were handled smoothly, and sound and lighting well designed and operated. A lot of hard work and thought had been given to costumes, and the bronze, coffee and gold theme for the finale made for a refreshing change. The live band to the side of the stage added to the ambience of the evening as the energy and enthusiasm of the cast spilled out into the auditorium to much appreciated and well-deserved applause.

‘Tricia Barclay

NODA SW Representative District 6

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