Cinderella

Once again, the talented in-house committee member, Paul Murphy, must be congratulated for writing such an entertaining script. This was a somewhat alternative version of Cinderella as it was set in The Fairytale Academy during an inspection visit from NODA, not the acronym members of the association know, but the ‘National Observers of Dramatic Absurdities’ whose goalposts were constantly changing.

Cinderella’s stepmother, Miss Management, was played by Ebony Jones, and she tried in vain to run the school. She did well to portray a much more mature character; her spinster costume, hair, makeup and acting skills really enhanced her stage presence. She was assisted by her two daughters who worked at the school as teachers: Joe Burley played Miss Demeanour and the hilarious Jack Chambers played Miss Fictitious. Their pairing worked very well and it was clear to see that Jack in particular was enjoying every minute, with so many laugh out loud moments it would be difficult to pick one. On their every entrance and costume change they both built on their larger-than-life characters, each trying to outdo and outsmart one another both in the lead up to the actual inspection and then to win the hand of The Prince played by James Henderson, who had a lovely tone when singing ‘Enchanted to Meet You’.

The different twist in this script was that Cinderella had been demoted from teacher to cleaner. Gracie Evenden played the role with all the skill of someone who has been with YOS for the past 9 years.  I have seen her grow in confidence and develop so much. Her version of ‘A Million Dreams’ being the musical highlight of the pantomime for me, absolutely beautiful.  Cinderella’s Fairy God Mother Deanna Mullen also had an apprentice Fairy, Layla Rogers. The audience tried to help when Layla got confused as to which side of the stage she should enter and exit on and she had to learn the ropes including learning to speak in rhyme until she finally got it right and ultimately gained her fairy wings. They worked really well together, Deanna was the perfect God Mother, she was able use her past experience to guide Layla (I was surprised to read it was her first show).

On to the actual inspection from the NODA inspectors. The Royal Aides, Evie Franklin and Ollie Quigley, announced their arrival with authority with Emilia McCabe and Frances Vale as the important people who visited the school to inspect the various lessons along with the Prince. I think I recall Music, Swimming, Spanish and Games to name a few. We were treated to some very funny lessons with performances in various classrooms, including the music room, when staff and pupils showed the inspectors and the audience their numerous ‘skills’. With everything to gain and bated breath we waited to hear if The Fairytale Academy would be graded ‘Extraordinary, Ordinary or Weak’.

The evening I attended was made even more special for YOS as The Noda National President Graham Liverton and his wife Ann were in attendance, of course, wearing all the presidential regalia.  The look on James Berryman’s face, playing Buttons, as he came up the central stairs into the auditorium was absolutely priceless. I thought James gave a very engaging performance and interacted well with the audience. ‘The 12 days of Christmas’ when he was joined by The Royal Aides and The NODA Inspectors was particularly enjoyable.

As always for this production team, Cinderella was a well-cast production. The main characters were supported by a strong, energetic chorus. The show contained so many fantastic chorus numbers it is difficult to choose, however ‘Naughty’ and the wonderful finale, ‘I’m a Believer’, were amongst my most memorable. YOS are very fortunate to have such an array of talented people who work tirelessly behind the scenes and backstage to make it happen. Seeing the costumes is always a highlight for me and once again Jane and her team pulled out all the stops to produce yet another fantastic colourful costume plot.

Before the pantomime, when telling Graham and Ann a little more information about YOS, I told them both how proud I was to be your representative and what a privilege it is to be invited to see you perform. Many congratulations to everyone involved as, honestly, I think this is your best pantomime to date. I reiterate the President's comment to you all on stage at the end, “Extraordinary”.

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