Download the new logos for the programme and poster competition

Cinderella

Author: Jo Sykes

Information

Date
19th January 2025
Society
Wales Community Theatre Players
Venue
The Montgomery, Sheffield
Type of Production
Pantomime
Director
Ashley Booker
Musical Director
Ray Gallagher
Choreographer
Claire Harriott
Written By
Alan P Frayn

It was great to be back in The Monty with Wales CTP who were all loving being on the stage and bringing Cinderella to Sheffield.   Whilst the story is a favourite with pantomime performers and audience alike it's sometimes a struggle to bring something new and different to the stage, but Director Ashley Booker ensured that this fabulously fun production kept us all on our toes (particularly the poor guy in the third row who was mercilessly targeted by the sisters throughout the show).    

Following a magical prologue from the Fairy Godmother (Alison Wade) we were welcomed to the village of Stoneybroke with a wonderful bright opening number from Cinderella and the ensemble.  Hollie Riley (Cinderella) was a great Principal Girl, bright, bubbly and very engaging.  Her lovely vocals shone through in the songs and she most definitely looked the part so there was no doubt about why Buttons (Paul Burgess) had fallen for her.  Though I am slightly surprised that Cinderella didn’t fall for Buttons?  Who, whilst being a gloriously funny comic, was also warm, kind and caring – someone needs to tell that girl that actually falling for a prince isn’t everything!  Burgess had great rapport with the audience (even if his call-back was more of a paragraph than a line) the audience participation scene was really wonderful with four small children from the audience taking to the stage and definitely adding to the magic.  However, despite Buttons affection for her Cinders quickly falls for the Prince Charming, Toni Cook, who was a very elegant Prince with a great voice and an appropriate penchant for thigh slapping.

Despite the challenges of his new wife and stepdaughters Baron Hardup seemed to be coping quite well and Joseph Bairstow didn’t let the ‘little’ issue of Grizelda and Gertrude get him down.   Ann Mann was utterly unlikeable as the Baroness Hardup, step-mother to Cinderella.  She was downright nasty with her scheming and planning,  but looking incredible in her stunning costumes (probably funded by the Barons overdraft).   The ‘brokers men’ Bodget and Leggett, Lee Phillips and Dan Schofield, were very entertaining particularly in the ‘wallpapering scene’ which was incredibly well executed and showed great physicality.  Lynne Addis as Chambers made her introductions with eloquence and a level of regalness one would expect from someone ‘at court’.   Alison Wade was a magical Fairy Godmother (though I would have liked wings).  The transformation scene was beautifully managed (huge credit to the body double who was perfectly positioned) and Alisons unaccompanied singing was lovely.  Eve Rowles as Dandini brought fun to the role as the character danced the night away at the ball and tried to escape from the sisters in the forest.

The sister themselves were unforgettable…no words can possibly describe the larger-than-life characters created by Tom Ingall (Grizelda) and Dave Froggatt (Gertrude) – utterly unlikeable with appalling dress-sense, nasty beyond nastiness and very, very funny.  They took total command of the stage (and auditorium) at every opportunity and had the audience in stitches.  The incredible 3D scene was so well delivered, but I truly wanted the ghost to come out and take them both away!  This whole scene was  professionally executed and it took Panto Bench scenes to a whole new level.

The Ensemble were full of enthusiasm and the Adults and Youth groups worked really well together smiling throughout the show.    The dancing was great with well-managed use of the space and fabulous routines choreographed by Claire Harriot.  The six-piece band under the musical direction of Ray Gallagher got involved with the production as well as playing the super song choices for the show.  The set was excellent with a very stunning coach and beautiful cloths.  Lighting and sound were strong with great use of pyrotechnics.   Costumes were stunning – especially the mint green and silver finale.  The whole show was an antidote to the cold night chill and grey sky – entertaining both young and old with a superb mix of traditional and new pantomime magic.   Congratulations to all the Production Team for a fabulous show and to the cast and crew for delivering an entertaining and fast paced panto which was a joy to see.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.

Other recent show reports in the North East region

Funders & Partners