Cinderella

The ‘pantomime dame’ of the county, and who can match Ben Francis in being the second Sister, this year a change on stage to be in Direction charge with all his experience. What an admirable idea to stage with a younger, mostly teenage principals, augmented by our usual adults in backing plus a huge number of children, giving an opportunity to learn and be coached by an expert, and to offer the chance for the future with these upcoming thespians in a more modern script (Chris Bennion) and style, definitely very energetic modern style movement, a fun panto for all and very much enjoyed by the small youngsters sitting near me in the audience.

Thomas Bailey as Dandini and Max Lake as Prince Charming had a very good rapport and worked well together in a professional style as they changed places and planned the great ball, nice voices. Fairy Godmother Kaisha Riches looked good (all costumes were excellent) and kept her rhyming style.

Into the hall and a lovely Cinderella from Alice Hobbs, very strong and good vocals, worked well with Prince and particularly with Buttons. And in this role Ryan Standing took the attention with his swift deliveries, excellent diction and timing, he ran rings around the others on stage.

Michael Sylvester (Floenza) and Lee Gibbons (Robella) were a good pair to work together, obviously tutored by Ben, and their timing was good, very colourful costumes, and suitably unkind to Cinderella. Baron Hardup (Peter Blakeley) took the custard pies and Lady Hardup (Michelle Hollingsworth-Keogh) had to walk home from the ball in haughty silence.

Liked Jack and Jill (Alex Chidichimo and Grace Dodd) as the multipurpose helpers with total incompetence but fun-filled natures as they ruined many moments. And all loved the horse Dancer who pulled the carriage, and the appearance of the ‘monster’ (noisy!).

But the main impression of this production, with this huge young cast was the total commitment filled with excessive energy and enthusiasm as they filled the stage with their singing and movement, this was a fun evening in a week of lights and Christmas trees to bring the festive season to Fakenham and bodes well for the future.

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