Cinderella

As usual for Frome MTC, this was a quality production in every respect.  The set and props were delightful with lots of variation and nice detail throughout. The chandeliers in Act 2 were especially resplendent given that I understand they were made from scratch. Costumes and makeup were impressive with the whole cast looking very professional.  Lighting and sound were also excellent and there was clearly a skilled team backstage to ensure a smooth transition between the scenes.

The principal line-up was very strong.  The linchpin throughout was the energetic and spirited performance of Buttons who quickly established a brilliant rapport with the audience as he got them all to keep an eye on his toy rabbit.  In all his appearances he bounded round the stage and swept the audience, young and old, along with him.   

Cinderella was lovely and came across extremely well as both a dancer and singer; indeed everything you would want in the title role.  

Prince Charming was also excellent and, together with his sidekick, Dandini, they kept the story moving along nicely with some good acting and singing.

Much of the comedy came from Gertrude and Grizelda, the ugly sisters, and they proved to be an excellent pairing.  Their larger-than-life characterisations were just right and they sang and moved well.  I especially enjoyed the way Grizelda picked out a poor male audience member and continued the light hearted banter with him throughout the show.  Although they were two of the ‘baddies’ in the story, they were very likeable and proved to be extremely popular with the audience.  The mandatory ghost scene in the bedroom was one of the show’s highlights.  Their mother who was the other ‘baddie’, Baroness Hardup, provided a traditional take on the evil step mother and the audience took little encouragement to ‘hiss’ and ‘boo’ her at each of her entrances and exits.

The rest of the comedy came from Bodget and Leggett who again had likeable characterisations and an easy style on stage.

The cast was very ably completed by Cinderella’s kindly father, Baron Hardup, Chambers and Fairy G who had a lovely stage presence and authority for her appearances. Of course, I mustn’t forget Hagan the Horse, who behaved and performed brilliantly throughout.

The choreography was definitely one of the pantomimes plus points with an entertaining variety of dance styles and some nice patterns. There was a very impressive set of young dancers who gave a really precise, confident and accomplished performance of each routine.

This was a wonderful traditional pantomime with all of the ingredients you would expect and was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.  It was very well rehearsed and delivered with an appropriate mix of up-tempo songs and ballads brilliantly supported by a small pit band. Direction was very good, with lots going on in every scene to keep the younger members of the audience engaged throughout.  This company always put on first-rate shows and you would be hard pushed to find a professional production that bettered this pantomime. It was well attended, which is testament to the high standards they achieve and the audience was clearly and quite rightly relishing every minute. 

 

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