Cinderella

'The weather outside is frightful, inside was just delightful' to coin the words of a Christmas song - and it fitted perfectly for this production of 'Cinderella'. WAG has always been innovative with their presentations of pantomimes and musicals, this one was no exception. From the moment the Fairy Godmother (played confidently by Emma Thomson) stepped onto the stage to give us the back story of this iconic pantomime, the whole audience were transfixed - not only lots of Brownies, Cubs, cast relatives etc., but even an old stager like myself!

This was a very well written pantomime by a writer new to me, Ben Crocker - he has a different way of presenting an old story, bringing it bang up to date and appealing to both young and old - I hope to see more of his work in the future.

The opening number of a pantomime should always be a well-known song with lots of dance and movement - 'Let Me Entertain You', originally recorded by Robbie Williams, was a sure-fire winner - Charlotte Jackson and Claire Williamson, Choreographers, had the entire company moving energetically around the stage - well-drilled and well-rehearsed.

We then met Cinderella herself, played with winsome charm by Claire Williamson - I have seen Claire in many guises with WAG, mainly in knockabout comedy, so it was refreshing to hear her clear dialogue and lovely voice in the lead role. Prince Charming (Matthew Jackson), was a reflective character - his duet with Claire was beautiful, their voices blended together so well. The Prince's servant and stand-in, 'Dandini', (played by Keeley Row) had some great sardonic lines to deliver, which she made the most of - an excellent interpretation.

The actor with the hardest role was Connor Houlton as 'Buttons' - he worked very hard to get the audience on his side - lots of 'aahs and oohs' from them - which heightened his manic performance - it was exhausting just watching him! Always by his side was the lesser-known character of 'Mouse' played by Helen Thomson - her facial expressions were magnificent, as of course, mice don't talk! Very well played.

The two Ugly Sisters, Beryl and Cheryl, were so amusing and the audience loved them - I don't think I have seen anything more hilarious than the scene when they are getting ready for the Ball - the Baroness (played with haughty nastiness by Lorna Marshall) decided that their hairy legs should be got rid of - she used a variety of torture implements for the job and the way the scene was played had us all in paroxysms of laughter!  Well done!   Michael Eliot Hall and Nick Jackson played the Major Domo and Security respectively with good comic timing.

I don't really like the word 'Chorus', as these stalwarts support the principals in scene after scene and do it very energetically - very well done! (in no particular order - Charlotte Jackson, Charlotte Stenhouse, Frankie Lakin, Jason Robinson, Laura Harvey, Louise Norbury-Robinson, Michael Eliot Hall, Nick Jackson and Sophie Rumbold).

All this was directed by first-time director, Joshua Knight, he got the staging just right; Ian Harvey was Musical Director - he had worked hard on his principals with some tricky songs and harmonies. Behind stage, the Stage Manager was Lynne Bigland; Tim Bigland and Sean Robinson were Stage Crew; Laura Harvey, Costumes; Publicity and Bookings were taken care of by Kate Bentley and Lynne Bigland respectively; Front of House by Members of WAG (Tony Bond, the night I attended).

I just loved watching the audience leave the hall with smiles on their faces - we need a little cheering up and WAG have given us exactly what was required.

Well done, everybody connected with this poduction - and now.....I shall go to the Ball !!

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