Cinderella

What a pantomime, indeed!  Having an enforced break from panto land last year did not dampen the spirits of the fabulous performers from Dinnington Operatic Society.  Directed by Louise Selden the afternoon was a riot of fun and audience engagement which embraced the feeling in the room that ‘It’s Behind Us and We’re Back!’.  The opening number set the pace for the whole show – it was clean, smart and upbeat with the Ensemble and Stage Academy welcoming us to 'The Kingdom of Dinnington' where we could leave all our cares at the door.

Joanne Thornewell, was an engaging Fairy Godmother, without a true nemesis she carried many of the tab scenes and developed a lovely rapport with the audience.  Samantha Smedley as the Wicked Baroness Hardup was a fabulous whip cracker to her poor downtrodden husband, Baron Hardup, played by Alan Walker.  Scott Walker as the Prince Charming and newcomer to the Society, Nathan Kennedy, as Dandini showed some great moves and were a very clever pairing who worked well together - Their ‘Never Had A Friend Like Me’ song and dance number was excellent.

The Ugly Sisters were played to great comic effect by Mark Wareing (Danni) and Johnny Green (Fanny) – they talked the talk, they walked the walk and they certainly strutted their stuff with fashionable style and finesse.  There was more than a hint of the Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough in their performance and it worked wonderfully.  Green is an experienced dame, but an Ugly Sister is a different sort of dame and he has mastered that perfectly as did Wareing for whom it was his first time in the role.  The audience came away loving to hate them and their clever gags with the audience worked very well.  A mention must go to their many and colourful wigs.  Courtney Smith did a brilliant job with her creative talents to produce some stunning looks for this entertaining pair.

One of the most important interactions in the world of Pantomime is that between Buttons and Cinders.   Ashley Booker reprising his role as the dutiful page worked wonderfully with Sophie Keady as Cinderella.  I totally believed in their relationship and felt real empathy between them.  Both had fabulous stage presence and the audience loved them.   From the moment Buttons came on stage children in the audience were screaming his name and never failed to call him for his entrances to rescue ‘the box’.   Bookers ‘song and dance man’ persona came through in this character and his local references and ad-libs raised more than a chuckle.  Keady was passionate and charismatic in the title role with a beautiful singing voice and great poise.

The costumes were bright and cheerful, the many backcloths were changed with great speed and the super props brought on without any fuss (gorgeous pumpkin and mouse!).  A mention must go to the beautiful transformation scene with the most stunning horse and carriage – it was as if the Fairy Godmother really had waved her magic wand.  Jacqui Turner and Kirstie Turnbull choreographed for The Julie Turner Stage Academy and the Ensemble respectively and the performances of these groups enhanced the production.  The tiniest dancers were very sweet and the senior girls incredibly proficient in their moves – all beautifully costumed throughout.   The five-piece band, led by MD Jonathan Wilby, added to the atmosphere.  The production was supported by great sound and light.

Congratulations to all the Production Team, performers and everyone involved in getting the show on stage.  It’s always a pleasure to see DOS, who aren’t just a Society – they are a family and this comes across in the way they work and perform together.

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