Cinderella

Wonderful to be back to see this local community theatre group who are now in their 93rd year. Upon arrival I received a warm welcome and a festive feel as Christmas music played in the background. Cinderella was always one of my mums’ favourite pantos so especially looking forward to seeing this production.

The theatre stage is quite small, but the set design team had done a great job in the design so that flats could be just quickly turned round to make other scenes. The staging was well thought out and ensured that the flow of the show ran smoothly and kept up the pace and dynamics. This was also well complemented by the lighting and sound. The show was well received by its audience of the local community, family and friends who booed and cheered, mostly in the right places, and clearly had a great night out.

The cast consisted of members who had been there for 42 years to newcomers who had been there for one and a nice ensemble from the youth section.

The show started with an introduction from the Narrator/King played by Jordan Anderson who came across as a true natural performer and carried the show along with his adlibs, quick wit and great understanding of working an audience which continued throughout the show. I cannot recall seeing a narrator in Cinderella before, but the idea worked well. Cinderella was played by Kate Marie Burton and Prince Charming was played by Hollie Dutton both had wonderful voices and complemented each other throughout the show. Buttons was played by Damien Fisher again having a wonderful voice which was used to compliment and interject into the songs of the show.

The programme did not say who chose the music and arrangements, but these were well done complimenting the show, storyline and the characters who sang. My only criticism would have been that they have a big number to open Act Two as all the cast were on stage. Hats off to Alyson Boote who played Baroness Fartwell who was clearly not well but pushed on through and whose motto must have been “The Show Must Go On!” Well Done. She was supported through by the two stepsisters, Jez Oldfield playing Lady Wibble and Phillip Cramm playing Lady Wobble. Both had the audience in stiches hamming up their parts at every given opportunity in true panto style.

Dandini was played by Anne Bateman giving excellent support to Prince Charming and the Queen was played by Yvonne Cramm who after much mothering of her son to find the right bride finally gave in realising that the right bride was his true love. Two additional characters were introduced Ron and Ronnie the royal guards played by Paul Wiles and Nick Anderton playing roles both onstage and off stage in the interval.

The Fairy was played by Sara Temple who also wrote and directed the show. Well done on taking a classic traditional story and giving it nice original touches but not so much that the original story was lost. The additions were well received and well thought out.

Well done to Idle and Thackley on a wonderful show. I look forward to coming back soon.

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