Cinderella

Cinderella ... a modern family pantomime presented by All Souls Dramatic Club at The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport on Thursday 16th January 2025

When I think of Cinderella ... I always go back to the fabulous 1950’s Disney film, but the origins of Cinderella go back to Greek and Roman times and can also be found in The Grimm Brothers Fairytale Book. This quintessential ‘rags to riches’ folk tale is a favourite of many children and a personal favourite of mine.  The original story centres around a quiet, obedient young girl whose father remarries after the death of his wife. Cinderella finds herself the brunt of an evil step-mother and her two nasty daughters. This adapted version, written by Cliff Gillies and his five-year-old daughter Thea, tells a different story! Cinderella doesn’t wait to be rescued, but faces adversity head-on, refusing to let anything or anyone define her path whilst teaching us that our beginnings don’t necessarily dictate our endings... so, let’s take a look at the Cinderella story through the eyes of ‘Cliff and Thea’!

Production Team... Cliff not only penned this adaptation; but he also directed it and took on the role of one of the ‘Ugly Sisters’. Cliff obviously had a great understanding of this piece having written it andwith Thea on hand, after every rehearsal, giving her ‘expert advice’, we had some wonderful characters created, great scenes that developed naturally and if the applause throughout and at the finale was anything to go by, a production enjoyed by everyone present. Chris Rimmer (Musical Director) and his band did a terrific job supporting every singer, he also created some fabulous new vocal arrangements which included some fabulous harmonies.  But for me, the feature that impressed me most was the creative choreography arranged by Katie Palfrey. Big cast, big stage and Katie used every inch to her advantage. Some intricate, cleverly devised routines were created that not only played to the strengths of all those involved, but which blended perfectly into the genres and styles needed! I loved the opening routine to Act 2 that transitioned from ‘Sing, Sing, Sing to ‘Someone in the Crowd’ with the dancers moving around in a carousel/wheel type fashion, interchanging within their three’s... so impressive and what a great way to open Act 2 ... be very proud Katie, the choreo really did enhance this production. Congrats to you all, great job....   

The Cast ... I think the cast numbered forty and what a job they all did!  IN MY OPINION, the success of this show wasn’t down to an individual, it was down to pure ‘team work and team togetherness’!  As soon as those lights came up, everyone looked confident, engaged and appeared to be having the time of their life and when that happens ... there’s very little else anyone can ask! As most will know, I’m never one to sit on the fence... but with all the effort, energy, enthusiasm from every cast member ... I really don’t feel I can select a ‘show stealer’, but I do feel it necessary to give a few ‘shout outs’ to MY favourite characters/performances! So to the cast ... starting with the ‘principals’... ‘lead’ role of ‘Cinderella’ was played by Phoebe Hill, James Shaw - ‘Prince Charming’, Matthew Swinnerton - ‘Dandini’; Alex McKillop - ‘Buttons’: Kelly Anderson - ‘Lady Tremaine’ (Villain); Jacqui Lewis - ‘Queen’; Alan Casserley - ‘King’; Hayley Jones – ‘Fairy Godmother’; Tom Avann - ‘Fairy Godbrother’; Cliff Gillies & Ian Lawson - ‘Britney & Kylie’ (Uglies); Kai-enna Mook – ‘Aurora’; Amelia Moran – ‘Snow White’; Katie Allen – ‘Gothel’; Kelly Bond – ‘Maleficent’; Heather Gomersall – ‘Belle’. Company: Stephanie Brittain, Caitlen Woodward, Melissa Bennett, Sophie Watkinson, Abbie Sumner, Chloe Judd, Louise Webster, Sophie Horne, Tracey Holmes-Smith, Emma Wood, Beth Fenny, Jenny Roby, Alishia Pantellerisco, Lauren Brown, Jen Johnson and Gabbi Goldfarb.  We also had six very young, very beautiful dancers from the ‘So Talented Academy of Theatre Arts’ ... Bryony Jones, Lily Grace Faulkner, Imogen Rimmer, Pearle Johnson, Niamh Toison and Grace Hudson all of whom had huge smiles on their faces that just lit up the theatre ... well done everyone, not a weak link in sight! 
‘Shout Outs’ ... not any easy call at all ... why?  Because there simply was no weak-links... but, I am going to ‘stick the old neck out’ and select MY ‘fab five’ characters or groups of characters... the best of the best (in ‘MY’ opinion) and I’m sure you’ll have your own ideas, but these are MINE!  So, let me start with a young lady, in her very first panto, our lead ‘Cinderella’ – Phoebe Hill.  Pheobe took us on a journey, a journey of self-discovery, were she faced adversity head on whilst showing compassion and strength along the way... which she did with ease!  A talented, versatile actress, blessed with great stage presence and a wonderful singing voice both elements she brought to the fore throughout.  Loved all her musical numbers, especially those with the five Princesses ‘My Days’, ‘Six Wives’, which were both highlights for me and her duet with the prince, ‘Only Us’ was up there!  Be ever so proud Pheobe great job!  Let me take a small step backward and highlight those ‘princesses’ ... Kai-enna Mook – Aurora, Amelia Moran – ‘Snow White’; Katie Allen – ‘Gothel’; Heather Gomersall – ‘Belle’ and Kelly Bond – ‘Maleficent’. The songs they sang, mentioned above, were sublime, the harmonies amazing, they just brought the house down! I don’t usually do this, because they all did fabulous jobs and created wonderful individual characters... but Kelly Bond just stood out, even from the other amazing four... well done to all of you... amazing Kelly, great job!  I might be a little biased here, but my ‘fellow Dames’ also did a fabulous job!  A pair of the ugliest Step Sisters I’ve seen in a long time, and I’ve seen some ugly ones of late... Cliff Gillies & Ian Lawson - ‘Britney & Kylie’ created mayhem and laughter whenever and wherever they appeared. Their renditions of ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’ led by Ian and the ‘B&M’ song were ‘showstoppers’ for me! They worked ever so well together, interacted really well with the audience be very proud you two!  Kelly Anderson - ‘Lady Tremaine’ (Villain) was another great character created who milked every hiss and boo thrown at her throughout, what more does a villain want or need! She also had a great rapport with the audience, be proud Kelly. My, final shout out goes to Tom Avann who played... wait for it ... ‘Fairy Godbrother’. I know Tom wasn’t too impressed with their performance that night, but be assured Tom... it was right up there for me... the audience loved it! Great comedic approach, great character created, be proud Tom!  Be proud everyone, some great characters and please don’t think because you haven’t been given a ‘shout out’ that you weren’t noticed or appreciated ... far from the truth, this was a great team effort that you should all be proud of!

Stage/Tech/Set...   as always staged to perfection! A minimal set, was transformed by some great projection, that just added so much with what looked like effortless ease, but I’m guessing there was so much more involved in getting that imagery right which it was! Loved the Lighting designed by Sam Hemmingway (yes ... loved the lighting, only dipped my head twice to avert one strip of piercing lights... bonus!). Sound, designed by Matt Hughes was solid and I wasn’t sure where to highlight this... but loved, loved, loved the opening ‘Mike Check’ comedic genius!  Congrats to all the ‘technical crew’ the ‘construction team’, the ‘painters’ and ‘scene setters/makers’... fabulous job!

Band ... who provided far more than just musical support led by Chris Rimmer (MD & Vocal Arrangements), with Dan Rankin on Keyboards/Guitar & the ‘Dutch Family’ - Adam on Bass; Paul on Drums; Mark on Guitar and Sarah on Saxophone & flute... their ‘dulcet tones’ could be heard assisting with most vocals... be proud!

Costumes/Props ... as we’ve come to expect, costumes were perfect enhancing the production; Props, apt and used to perfection ... congrats to the ‘wardrobe/props’ team... Chris Watkinson, Pauline Barker, Barbara Mitchell, Hilda Bromley, Sue Hardiker, Sue Stephens, Mary Hall overseeing all things costume and Vicky Snape and Paula Sumner i/c props.... congrats ladies!

Thank you so much for the invite, your hospitality throughout the evening and for allowing me to meet and say a few words to the cast at the end. As most will know, I really do love pantomime, it’s probably my most loved genre of theatre ... so all I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed everything I saw and heard that evening, the best production you’ve staged for a while in MY opinion, a credit to you all... be very proud, all that hard work paid off! 

Stay Safe, Keep well
“Stronger Together”

Jim Briscoe …
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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