Cinderella

Adam Waters (Director), Owen McColgan (Musical Direction), and Bethany Kember (Choreographer) - your production of ‘Cinderella’ at the Brook theatre this week is nothing short of sublime!!! Yes, sublime, I repeat!!

GDS you do Medway proud with your annual pantomime. This Cinderella I would put on a parallel with other professional pantos in the area, need I say more.? I could stop there, but I’m not going to. Adam, Owen, Beth your cast did you so proud. If I'd had a free slot, I would have come again. Opening Cinderella was the incomparable Rachel Crane Herbert as Fairy G - what a voice, super diction and Rachel demanded our attention, and she certainly got it. Cinderella (Racheal Heard) teamed with Prince Charming (Conor Whittaker) as the love interest, what a pairing, both had great acting and singing ability. Now what a pair we had in Beryl and Cheryl (yes, lady Uglies) - Carly Harwood and Emma Constantine were suited well, both over the top and the campest and loudest sisters I have ever seen in pantomime.

Devilla Hardup (Amelia O’Shea) what a woman! This lady’s performance was exceptional, giving us a Joanna Lumley type of character, great Amelia. She was teamed with James Stacey as Baron Hardup, he who has perfect timing and great characterization, as the Baron. A big Neigh must go out to Chatham Charlie the horse (Amelia Knight) the girl done good, the hottest women in the show, perfect Amelia. Snitch and Snatch (Laura Stoneman and Lee Round) the baddies: Laura and Lee bounced off each other and gave us a good comedy duo. Dandini (Rhea Baker) along with Connor Whittaker were teamed well and both gave solid performances. No! I haven’t forgotten Buttons (Aiden Ashton): this young man held his audience and worked them exceptionally well - well done Aiden, you controlled that stage.

We mustn’t forget the Ensemble, all working so hard to bring this Cinderella to fruition and guys you excelled both in song and dance, making Beth’s choreography come to life. These are Catherine Loft, Charlie Humphey, Elle Boardman, Erin Lowe, Izobel Glennon, Joe Warrilow, Judy Bull, Josie Stone, Marianna Allen, Nicole Baker, Stu Grace-Hicks  and Willow -Rose Cheeseman. Well done and special thanks to Harrison Foster and Harry Wildash for giving us a bit of diversity - very brave. Owen's band (Rob Ferguson and Alex Coverley) and the song choice were impeccable. Costumes as per usual were stunning, thanks to Jo Kember and Julie Smith.

To sum up, GDS you gave your audiences this week a perfect pantomime and thank you all for giving my guest and I a sublime evening at Cinderella. Oh, I do have just one little gripe, I won’t divulge here but will speak to who it involves.

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