Cinderella

CATS – CINDERELLA

Thursday 24th February 2022

February half-term? It can only mean that it’s panto time for Cheadle Amateur Theatrical Society. Their latest production is Cinderella, script by Alan R Price.

Housed in their new post covid venue Bishop Rawle Primary School, CATS cast made full use of the additional auditorium performance space.

An unusual take on the traditional tale with two Fairy Godmothers for the price of one, in the form of Laura Goodhew and Eve Phillips, great matching costumes, the pairing worked well, nice harmonies with their musical numbers

Buttons – Zach Bethel bounced on to the stage ripping into Let Me Entertain You by Robbie Williams ably assisted by the Dance Team. He was the lynchpin of the production, great dynamics with the audience and cast, setting the tone from the get-go.

His lovelorn relationship with Cinderella, Bea Chell was touching, she longed for siblings after the loss of her mother, her father Baron Hardup, dithering wonderfully captured by Jason Greenwood who after remarrying to a widow with daughters, seemed to be the answer to her dreams.

Yes, this is panto right. No such joy to be had for poor Cinders. Her dreams of sisters quickly turned to nightmares. She certainly had never encountered the force of nature that is Stepmother Grizelda, Rebekah Snow and her diabolically awful girls Lotty and Dotty, Dan Ede Smith and Richard Gilbert. All three utterly oozed loathsome unpleasantness – great panto fun indeed.

Miriam Lucy as Prince Charming together with Caroline Stokes as Dandini played well off each other. Good timing between the two of them, songs done with a real showy pizazz; their growingly awkward interactions with the ugly sisters were hilarious.

Great costumes, sound, lighting and choreography, the additional space really helped with the Prince’s Ball scene. Choreographers James Walker, Kezzie Carter and Kitty Harrison-Swann, did a great job.

Director James Walker brought us a fabulous version of the well-known classic tale. Always a team effort behind bringing shows to the stage, CATS always deliver. Great balance throughout the production, good casting, song selection, lively dance numbers, brilliant Princess carriage to take Cinders to the ball.

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