Cinderella

Many thanks for your warm welcome to your production of Cinderella written by Alan P Frayn a well-known writer of 
pantomimes. Charles Perrault wrote ‘Cinderella’ or ‘The Little Glass Slipper’ in 1697 and this original tale is said to have 
influenced Disney’s 1950’s adaptation. The folk story is well known to all a story with a moral where kindness with the help 
of a little magic will be rewarded. It was wonderful to see that your pantomime was well supported so early in the week with 
only a few empty seats.

Your new directors obviously had a clear vision of what they wanted and I think that they definitely brought ‘magic, laughter, 
and a general good feeling to everyone’. I saw that your assistant director had a part but  they must have given the cast 
great direction as your director I understand with only six weeks to go had to take on the role of Fairy Godmother. What a 
team!!

The large hall was set up with a curtained stage with a raised Juliet balcony lit with fairy lights set at stage left. There were 
three lighting bars hung from the ceiling with two lights each, follow spots were set at the rear of the hall and extra spot 
lights on the stage. Speakers were set at stage left and right. Both of these were well controlled by your tech teams.

The stage was dressed with a variety of painted backdrops, wipes and legs. The village scene showed a variety of  different 
houses on two levels with a door to Hardship Hall which could have done with a little work by the handymen to ensure it 
opened easily. The wipe for the outside of the Hall had a brick wall on and fields behind. The forest scene and palace 
worked well and the kitchen backdrop and legs were great. The large stage props added detail to al the scenes. The 
wheelbarrow with the square wheel was great, it was good the clock jumped to 12 in time and the transformation from cart 
to coach was brilliant. The slap stick scene was well managed. The personal props were successfully used by their owners.
I did think adding a nail on stage left for a handbag a great idea. 

The excellent musical accompaniment was provided by your talented Musical Director on the organ and a single gifted 
drummer who played a variety of musical tracks all delivered at an appropriate level. They had obviously spent a lot of time 
with your cast perfecting harmonies. I liked the fact that small groups of the ensemble each had their own spotlight when 
they sang phrases in ‘Who Will Buy’. It was also wonderful to hear a bass voice cutting through.  I did enjoy the dance at the 
ball with apposing songs and outfits.

Your choreographer had created a variety of routines which were well delivered by members of your team. It is an art to be 
able to show everyone moving to the best of their ability. Whether basic or more complex the dances were performed with 
confidence and a smile. The clever comment about dancing with a bearded lady explained the inclusion of Bodget in the 
ball and the robotic dance and dancing horse were great.

The costumes were carefully sourced and well fitting. Each member of the cast could be easily identified from their outfits
from a sparkly Fairy Godmother , archetypal blue Buttons, patched Cinderella and outrageous Ugly Sisters, just think of 
your audience’s eye line if shorter costumes are worn.  The hunting reds were just right, the fox, squirrel and cat cute and it 
was also great that time had been taken to ensure footwear, hair and accessories added detail.

Your actor portraying Cinderella was excellent, she spoke clearly, interacted with all those on stage and showed a range of 
emotions. She demonstrated her love for her father and distress when put upon by her step mother and sisters. Her 
camaraderie with Buttons was brilliant although it did lead to upset when she realised his true feelings. She moved well,
had a lovely voice and ‘I see the light’ sung with the Prince showed great chemistry . She looked beautiful in her gown. I’m 
glad her ‘No’ was only a joke at the end.

The performer playing the Prince had an excellent upright principal stance, firm clear speech and certainly looked regal in 
his costume. ‘He’  was definitely in charge and even when he swapped places with Dandini found it difficult to answer to him 
except when the Ugly Sisters were involved! ‘He’ created a believable pairing with Cinderella there were no awkward 
moments between them and ‘he’ had a clear tuneful singing voice and danced with confidence.

Buttons is a well-loved character in Cinderella a servant to Baron Hardup and a friend to Cinderella, whom he secretly 
loves. Your player will all his buttons on his top arrived on the stage with  aplomb clutching his bunny. Which his 
Information Technician’s ensured was not removed by popping on stage with ‘Bob the bunny’s being bothered’. He 
interacted brilliantly with the audience and cast alike  demonstrating a range of emotions and had the most wonderful quips 
which were delivered with such clarity that they caused lots of laughter and groans. He danced well and ‘I Who have 
Nothing’ brought the house down, what a voice!!

Cinderella’s dad Baron Hardup was played with sincerity by your actor. He showed his love for his daughter and hope that 
his new wife and daughter would provide them with the financial stability to remain in their home. His  singing of ‘I’m Kissing 
You’ was outstanding.

Playing opposite the Baron was the money grabbing Baroness who was going to take everything the Baron had for herself 
and her beautiful daughters. She didn’t portray her as pure evil but had a wonderfully acerbic manner.  Cinderella felt the 
lash of her sharp tongue, she controlled the Baron and promoted her daughters with some wonderful jibes.

What can I say about your Ugly Sisters? The side door opened and these two visions arrived Gertrude dressed in leopard 
print and green and Grizelda in zebra print and orange. Both well over six feet tall with wonderfully long hair and over the 
top make up. They were on the look out for men and you could also feel all the males in the audience shrink down in their 
seats not that it worked. The search continued on the stage with no rich male being safe, they fawned over them all 
fluttering their eyelashes. But when alone with Cinderella their spiteful side was evident and they took great pleasure in 
ripping up her invitation. They elicited boos aplenty and many laughs during the ball. They were a fantastic pair who sang 
and moved with conviction, pulled every comic moment and appeared born to play the dreadful pair. Many congratulations. 

The young actor depicting Dandini looked dapper, had great stage presence, spoke in a commanding manner and sang 
and moved well. He was delighted to take on the role of the Prince until he encounters the Ugly Sisters who set their caps 
at him both sure they were going to succeed and dwarfing him when standing either side. The scene when he was carried 
off stage horizontally was great, the look on his face said it all.

The comedy duo of incompetent builders Bodget and Leggett, suitably attired, arrived on the stage with a wheelbarrow and 
the tools but no ideas.  They had instructions to refurbish Hardup Hall and delivered all their great lines with relish. Old 
panto favourites like ‘When I nod my head you hit it!’ had the audience laughing out loud. Their rendition of ‘This Old 
House’ was great. 

Your director did a wonderful job as the Fairy Godmother. She opened the show with a flourish from her balcony,
guaranteed everyone knew what was happening, waved her wand with purpose and ensured Cinderella’s dreams came 
true. 

Chambers was portrayed with poise and his exclamations clearly heard by all the audience.

Hagen the Horse was played with flourish by your members. With his constantly wiggling back end and wonderful moves 
he was a favourite with the audience.

Both the Undercover Fairy Assistant and the Ghost played their cameo roles with feeling and added to the story. 

No pantomime is complete with an excellent ensemble which yours were. All those on stage no matter what age were on 
point during the performance. They moved well, sang with feeling and constantly interacted with others. Well done all.
When I arrived, I was promised a traditional pantomime and that was what your company produced. It was a well-directed 
brilliant evening’s entertainment. Many congratulations to all on stage and behind the scenes.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer 
may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by 
that knowledge.  

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the 
performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used 
during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only 
made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater 
achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future 
productions.

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