Cinderella

                   

I was warmly welcomed on arrival by Julia Clarke, Chair and met the author and then Director Lucy Weaver during the interval and at the end of the performance.

This was a stunning and highly enjoyable production from a very talented cast. As this was a large cast for the size of the stage the scenery and props were kept to a minimum. This afforded a good deal of creativity with the imaginative use of gauze curtains and projection. I particularly liked the Town Square and the Forest scenes which were very attractive. Good use was made of the front of tabs area to enable scene changes to take place fluently. Nikki Heap, Company Stage Manager led the back stage crew expertly. There were some interesting props designed and constructed by the society and the stage coach was a work of art! Sound and lighting were just right and music was to backing tracks which worked well.

Casting for this pantomime was particularly good and all the principals excelled in their roles. There was plenty of comedy which the receptive audience loved with lots of booing and hissing throughout. Katie Johnson, as Fairy Godmother opened Act One with Shannon Hannah as trainee Fairy Liquid on a scooter. This was a good pairing with the trainee Fairy eager to learn but making numerous mistakes along the way. Pete Norfolk, as Buttons was a larger than life character with enormous energy, bouncing around the stage. He had some wonderful expressions and I enjoyed his recitation of a ‘shopping list’ which was hilarious. As for the two Ugly Sisters, Steve Salmon as Chardonnay and Keith Peck as Champagne, they were suitably ostentatious and full of their own importance with frivolous and outrageous behaviour and acting. They had plenty of energy on stage and took advantage of every movement to add to the hilarity. Well played.! I also enjoyed the comedy of ‘If I Were Not In Hardup Hall’ which was so well performed.

Cinderella, played extremely well by Cassie Weston was a perfect match for the Prince, played in a regal and capable way by Gabrielle Tyler. The pair acted out the traditional pantomime love story in an endearing way and their duets were well sung and full of emotion.

I enjoyed the role of the Baron, expertly delivered by Doug Garner. Portly and energetic, Doug was well suited to the role and he sang Johnny B Goode in true rock and roll style. Katie Marks was his wife, Evella and she hit just the right note of malice and spite towards Cinderella. Paul Robinson, as Dandini was the Prince’s companion and took on the role of the Prince in a confident and commanding way when the two swapped characters for a while.

The adult ensemble had some  talented dancers and there was plenty for the ensemble to do throughout. Choreography was varied, interesting and well rehearsed thanks  to Choreographer Phoebe Wiggett.

There was also a delightful cast of eight in the Kids Ensemble with plenty of action and movement and some wonderful facial expressions. Well done!

Costumes and wigs throughout were superb and entirely appropriate to the characters and were mainly sourced from the society wardrobe. Well done to all the team. Were there two wig malfunctions? They just added to the fun!

Singing to the backing tracks was accomplished and spot on, thanks to the gifted Musical Director, Rebecca Mason.

Many congratulations to Director Lucy Weaver, assisted by Julia Clarke, for her talented and imaginative interpretation of this story and her ability to bring this production to stage.

 

 

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