Cinderella

Tyldesley Little Theatre’s production this year is Cinderella - on entering the theatre the stage curtains are parted and a single slipper is presented on a pedestal - very magical.

Connor Parkinson directs this play and his notes say that on joining TLT at the age of 15 Cinderella was his debut show, starting backstage and - fate taking a turn - ended up on stage playing Dandini.  Here, set construction was by Eddie Stanley and helped with set decoration by Connor Parkinson and company members.  Could Cinderella’s carriage maybe have had some fairy lights around it to make it appear more magical? . . . but I loved the moving clock at the ball. The gauze curtain worked a treat when Cinderella was singing and remembering her time with the Prince at the ball - using a double was a lovely idea, adding to the magic. Lighting and Sound worked well and enhanced the show. Lighting by Pete Gower and operated by Jenny Whur and Karen Ward, sound by Paul Whur. Costumes looked good and fitted the characters, the Sisters didn’t disappoint in their attire. Wardrobe by Margaret Speakes. Hair and Make-up were apt too - great idea the fairy lights in the wigs! Hair and wigs by Jake Little and make-up by members of the cast.

Choreography was by Chloe Thomas and although a small ensemble, she worked the cast well. Musical Director Martin Taylor was a one-man band - great choices of songs and some fab sounds and music effects. The Eastenders ending hilarious and Mission Impossible to get the ticket to the ball - well played, literally!

Baron Hardup was played by Ian Hunter, his new wife the Baroness by Alexis Hollis, Chambers by Tom Allen and Hagan the Horse (Sharp End) Laura Solski, (Blunt End) and also the Ghost was Lindsay Taylor. Fairy G was played by Chloe Thomas, lovely voice. The comedy duo was Andrea Peters playing the long suffering Bodgett and Leggett was played by Sally Mason who has the most innocent-but-naughty of faces.

Buttons was Gemma Manfredi with Bob the Bunny. I still cannot remember what we were supposed to shout when anyone went near him – hilarious! Gemma worked hard and was lovely with the children who went on to stage. I have to say my ears are still ringing from the audience interaction. Principal girl Alex Haymes was a delight and a little comedy thrown in for good measure too working well with Danny Tooby who was the thigh slapping Prince Charming, who looked and sounded the part. His partner in crime Dandini was played by Jake Little and very funny him crawling along the floor after being with the Dames and looking dishevelled.

Cameron Rowe as Grizelda and Cathryn Hughes as Gertrude truly lit up the stage especially the cart-wheeling. Working well together as one and knowing what each other was doing. With sauce and sass, they worked the audience (poor Derek from Rochdale!) With Alyssa Edwards tongue pops and poses seen on Ru Pauls Drag Race they had a ball and we did too watching them. Difficult to boo them for being mean to Cinderella – you just felt like cheering them on their next hilarious entrance. Well done to cast and crew for an enjoyable loud evening on a frozen foggy Friday night. Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Matthew and I.

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