Cinderella

The still-popular story of ‘Cinderella’ continues to influence popular culture internationally, lending plot elements, references and stimuli to a wide variety of media, here in the UK it remains incredibly admired in its pantomime form.

Collectively, this principal cast are a fine measure of calibre. Once I’d managed to see beyond Richard Ross’ eye makeup – which made him look remarkably like Julian Clary – he delivered a particularly impressive act as the lovable Buttons. This role has several crucial demands which were all met with a kid-like personality which was on point with the children as well as the grown-ups making him a perfect host and escort for the mythical fable, however those drag eyes really weren’t necessary.

Laura Brocklebank certainly had the principal boy presence and command as Prince Charming alongside her equally able companion, Dandini.

‘Cinderella’ has several renderings, Baron Hardup is more commonly associated to the pantomime telling but it’s not uncommon for this character to be replaced with the wicked stepmother, this is the first time I’ve seen the panto incorporating both the baron and the baroness (the stepmother) together, however – Anna Sillitoe’s villainess was wonderfully relished demonstrating a terrific rapport with the audience with her officious arrogance towards anyone who crossed her path, including the audience who evidently loved to hate her!

Probably my favourite character of the production was Ian Moore’s unenthusiastic mouse, Dave - acquiring instant likability and copious humour from such a brief role, admirably done!

Bringing humour and warmth aplenty was Grainne Wiggan as the Fairy Godmother and Josh Moreton as Patch the Pumpkin brought copious energy and spark.

The music, this year, was in the hands of Adam Garnett who had put together a good song list which kept us tapping our feet along to a bouncy score which was well executed by the quartet. One song (which was used in act II and again for the finale) was questionable. A successful, tried and tested, element to any panto is to use a feel-good song which has recently or is currently dominating the charts for the finale which sends your audience out with better results than a song that resembles a nursery rhyme.     

Sarah Reilly plays the title role faithful and true as the character we all know and love. Her vocals were certainly a feature to her act with her dreamy ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ which had every child (and adult) engrossed, not an easy accomplishment for a ballad to achieve such a result from an auditorium crammed with tots.     

Roberto Lavorini & Stuart Harding as The Uglies relish every line and ad lib opportunity, these guys work the audience to a safe degree and, for me, some jokes being nearer to the knuckle would have been most welcome. These two were lots of fun but a little tame for dames.

Director duo Jenny Hollinshead and Ross Douglas certainly knew what they were doing, they’d pieced together a good, smooth and enjoyable show.

Combine all the above with a marvellous set (with smooth / quick changes!) then you can’t deny that you’ve got the perfect family treat. Pretty much everything you’d expect from a traditional panto. 

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