Cinderella

Cinderella is not only the most popular pantomime but it’s also one of the most challenging for amateur societies – not only does it need 2 dames and 2 Principal Boys but it also has the demands of the transformation scene. So full credit to Horbury Pageant Players (HPP) for absolutely “nailing it”!

Evie Mansfield-Smith, making her debut with HPP, was everything you would expect and delivered a sterling performance in the lead role Cinderella, great stage presence and a lovely singing voice. I’m sure she has a bright future ahead of her.

Jess Allatt, as Buttons, with her fabulous comic timing, was excellent, as always, keeping the audience well and truly in the palm of her hand, delivering with clear diction and being able to interact with the audience with ease whilst maintaining the energy and humour. She had the relationship with Cinderella spot on, gaining the audience’s sympathy for her unrequited love. I still haven’t got my tongue around “Buttons – Bob the Bunny’s Being Bothered” I’m afraid!  

Thomas Allatt, as Gertrude, and Daniel Allatt, as Grizelda, were all you want from the traditional pantomime ugly sisters, hilarious, dolled up to the eyeballs, with great interactions with cast and audience alike. Both gave incredibly strong performances and their costuming was a sight to behold.  I felt sorry for Warren but if you sit on the front row of a pantomime……

I enjoyed the strong character Emma Proctor showed us in her interpretation of Prince Charming. She moved with authority and was on top of her role. Dandini, her erstwhile best pal, was played with equal assurance by Sue Pickering. The two of them had a lovely rapport.

Charlotte Mountain as the Fairy Godmother, Fairy G for short, the guardian of Cinderella, delivered a warm performance with crystal clear articulation, a lively and comic physical characterisation with energy to match while still ensuring we got a degree of grandeur as the immortal spirit of the tale.

The Baron and Baroness Hardup, played by Barry Ottewell and Jo Sykes respectively, were perfect foils for each other. Barry had the confused and hen-pecked Baron down to a T and Jo had great characterisation, great facial expressions  and mannerisms..a well judged performance.

Penny Parkin and Joanna Goldson, as Leggett and Bodgett respectively, took on the comedy double act roles, trying to do the right thing but inevitably getting it wrong. All the hard work they put in and they got the biggest laughs by being hit on the head with a large hammer. Such, is the injustice of pantomime.

Last but by no means least, Harvey Nicholson, as Chambers, brought a regal gravitas to the pantomime, whilst Emily Ritchie, was the ghost/ choreographer - that’s not a combination you see every day!

Well done to the young chorus for bringing some lovely smiling faces to the stage.

Of course, all the hard work on stage would come to nothing if it wasn’t for the huge number of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the show to life. One of the things that  impresses me most about HPP is that everything is done in-house – scenery, props, costumes, makeup. There aren’t many societies that can claim that. So full credit to you all – Grant Rayner (sound), Matt Roberts (lighting), Madison Newton, Penny Parkin, Jo Jarvis (makeup), Barry Ottewell, Arthur Lumb, Simon Ingham, Ken Sugden, Phoenix Ingham (props/set), Amy Day, Zoe Parkin, Kate Eley, Susan Brearley, Sarah Ingham, Jo Sykes, Sandra Hookham(wardrobe), Dan Nicholson, Simon Ingham, Sean McGuigan (stage crew), Arthur Lumb (stage manager).

I have to make a special mention of the clever and innovative use of projection – the programme doesn’t specifically credit anybody so whoever is responsible please take a bow. 

Whilst we’re on “special mentions”, HPP’s versions of “If I Were Not in Pantomime” and “The Hours after Midnight” are the funniest I have seen. Loved them.

The driving force behind any show is the production team and HPP have a team to be proud of, with the imagination, talent and time to pull this standard of pantomime together : Director/producer/ music (Zoe Parkin), Assistant director/choreographer (Emily Ritchie) and Production Assistant (Emmi Huffinley). Well done.

It’s been an absolute pleasure to stand in for my NODA colleague, Jo Sykes, at HPP for the last few years. It has been a privilege to witness the true team spirit you have within the Society and the pleasure you bring to your audiences. Thank you.

 

 

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