Cinderella

Report on

The Bradfordians 

Production of 

“Cinderella”

Written & Directed by Robin Bailes, 

Musical Directors – Noah Heard & Natalia Wieczorek,

Choreographer – Anna Mazan,

Production Managers – Gan Shermer & Phil Courage.

As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative 

(on behalf of Delia Lee)

on Friday, 21st February, 2025

at St. Lawrence School, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon.

This was my first visit to see a Bradfordian show held now at the St.Lawrence School which had a large spacious hall and stage. Their previous residence was flooded and made a move essential if they were to keep performing. As this is a local school I suspect that may have been restrictions on how they staged the show which I had taken on board when I arrived. 

The stage was set with a raised walkway against the rear wall and two constructed exits on both sides of the stage. The rear wall was decorated by projected images from the front lighting rig. This gave a quick change of scene at the detriment of projecting on those using the walkway. There were three microphones across the stage area which worked ideally when the cast were in the catchment area. Some cast members were quite soft in their projection and did not get picked up by the equipement. Also those cast speaking softly, in the forest scene,seemed drowned by the bird noises. All sound appeared to be from a recorded sound track and was well balanced for the size of the hall. The very front of the stage area needed some more light coverage in an ideal world but I’m guessing that the school had some restrictions on what lighting could be used. There was a good audience waiting to be entertained and keen to join in when asked. There were quite a few younger children who may later have found the show too wordy and thin on any funny business. This was a version of the Cinderella story written several years ago by the current Director.  I did feel that some of the expected building blocks of the plot, for a traditional panto, were not present. For example we never saw Cinders pick up a broom or do a manual chore (other gather some wood) to give her the nickname, we never saw any close, personal scenes between Cinders and Buttons to establish why Buttons thought his feelings were mutuial. In fact Cinders was closer to her dog Alice than to Buttons. We lost the chance of any scenes that could have shown us how nasty and funny the ugly sisters and their mother were. There was no slapstick scene which is always fun for the youngters. The author was trying something new and I applaud that aspect. I do apologise if I seem critial but these missing items I consider are traditional.  I suspect that the running time was controlled by the number of entire songs that were used and the terms of hiring a school hall.

But this was the Director’s vision and I support that and am pleased that the cast and crew worked so well to bring his story to life.

I must praise all the cast for the wonderful singing and dancing they did on a small stage space. They worked with such energy that I wonder they were still around for the curtain call! They all worked the space available and were in touch with the music pace. Also the entire cast  were very good in all the background activity. Well done. Background activity is hard to achieve but every cast member did their part. The costumes were colourful and brightened up the scenes and again the cast managed quick changes without blinking. You must have had a good team behind the scenes. 

The transformation scene was particularly good and quick.  Full marks to everyone that made that happen and work so well. It brought the first act to a fitting conclusion. 

The second act opened with a confused fairy godmother pleading with Buttons to tell Cinders about the midnight curfew which she had forgotten to pass on. We then followed the finding of the shoe and the chase to reach it’s rightfull owner. I did like the scene where Cholera covered Cinders in the chair and sat on top so Cinders foot would be thought to belong to Cholera. Nicely handled. 

And then we went to the Community Song before the wedding finale walk-down. I think the Ugly Sisters would have been better working the audience for the Song. Their dislike of each other and the audience would have worked well. That would have left the others to mingle with the children in the audience when handing out the sweets.

This was an emsemble piece of work and I believe the whole cast pulled together to make it work. But here are some comments and thoughts about the lead players.

Cinderella – Amy. She was everything you would expect. Looked good and was talented in acting and singing. Well done. It’s never easy to be the lead player.

Prince Charming – Megan. Played the part well and enjoyed the singing.

Page – Sophie. Well done. This role ended up helping to resolve the plot.

Dandini – Rob. Handled this straight role very well.

Fairy Godmother – Tina. Congratulations on giving life to this role. Loved the boots!

Baron – Simon.. Congratulations. You maintained that shuffle every time you came on or went off stage. Not an easy thing to do. 

Baroness – Gan. We didn’t see enough of you and that lovely smile.

Cholera & Rubella – Jem and Tim. Worked well as a double act and wish I had seen more of you both

Alice the Dog – Martha. You did a tremendous job in moving around the stage so lifelike and adorable. You really gave a good impression of a lovely dog. If you are not careful and the group ever do Dick whittington you might end up playing the cat! Well done Martha. 

Last but not least – Buttons – Lucy. Congratulations Lucy in playing such a good role even if you didn’t win Cinderella’s heart. You kept in the role the whole time – from a very nervous entrance at the start until helping with the Community Song. You were enjoying being on stage for sure. You were a great team player and I wish you more good roles in the future. 

Thank you Bradfordians for entertaining me this evening. Thanks also to those who produced such a smart programme. Enjoy your rest until the next time,

Kind regards

Bob Allen – NODA SW District 14 - standing in for Delia Lee

 

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