Cinderella

         

I was warmly greeted on arrival by Director Lynn Perera and I also spoke with her during the interval.

This was a good family pantomime with plenty of comedy in the script and enhanced by good and capable acting.

The set and props, designed and built by the society were fairly basic and easy to manoeuvre with flats depicting the Village, Hardup Hall kitchen and the Palace. A lovely forest scene was projected on to a curtain and set changes were fluent throughout. Sound and lighting were just right for the stage and the apron extension and worked well. Music was to backing tracks and microphones worked well. Most of the cast could be heard clearly and projection on the whole was good.

Emma Cranwell, as Fairy Godmother opened the panto spreading her magic with Ozzy Cranwell as the Town Crier. Buttons played by Dan Johnson was a larger than life character, lively and energetic and I particularly enjoyed his singing of Mr Cellophane. He had a good rapport with the audience who were engaged throughout with plenty of boos and hisses where needed.

In this script Dandini was unusually portrayed as the ‘baddie’. He was played by Ray Seager who was scheming and plotting to inherit the kingdom instead of his half brother Prince Charming. A good delivery of This Is The Moment by Ray.  Charlea Finbow played the Prince with Gracie Seager as Cinderella. Charlea was a confident principal boy with good singing and acting. Gracie acted the part well with plenty of expression and good vocals.

The two Ugly Sisters, Chardonnay played by Fiona Rogers and Portia played by Sandie  Finbow were very well cast. Outrageous and flirty they complemented each other with their extravagant behaviour and constant vying for attention. Well done Their costumes were elaborate and ostentatious.

Brigadier (Lord) Hardup and his wife, Lady Hardup were well matched and well played by Kerry Broom and Julie Wardley respectively. Kerry was a somewhat penniless veteran returning to his home with new wife who assumed that he was wealthy. Julie delivered the role of wicked and partial stepmother with great skill and good characterisation.

I really enjoyed the characters of the rent collectors with Len Stockdale as Mr Wonga and  Amelia Botha as Mr Spon and Lana Deakin as Mr Dolicks, his side kicks. They all had great expressions and antics with good timing. Well played and lots of humour here.

The small chorus of adults and juniors were energetic and enthusiastic in both singing and dancing and had plenty to do.

There was some good singing throughout and I especially enjoyed Rock Around The Clock (Fairy Godmother with chorus), Material World (Lady Hardup with Ugly Sisters) and Prince (Hey Baby). I must also mention a new song, We’re Bad written for this production by erstwhile Musical Director Maria King.  

Finally the costumes which were all sourced and/or made by the society. These were truly imaginative and excellent and enabled every actor to look the part. Congratulations to the costumes team.

This production was well directed by Lynn Perera and, until recently Glyn Hill and brought out the talents within this small society. Congratulations to everyone involved in any way.

 

 

 

 

 

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