Cinderella

I must admit, along with enjoying visiting societies, I love to see and hear the enthusiasm of your audience. The usual excited queue greets us. Their enthusiasm lasts through the show. I don’t think audiences realise how supporting it is for performers to hear claps, cheers and singing. This was no exception at BADG.

This is a small but obviously capable society and have continued until this 50th anniversary performance. All of the cast related well to us and showed obvious enjoyment.

The small band played quietly as we waited, a lovely sound which supported the cast with a variety of songs.

The show opened with Mersey Fairy (Chelsea Bolton) wearing a pink velveteen trouser suit speaking in a broad Liverpudlian accent. She engaged us all, if speaking a little quickly. She had a real presence on stage and a nice voice.

The small chorus did very well, movement at all times and grouping morphing into mice and horse which was very clever. Their dance for the ball was full of moves. The chorus were involved in the show many times. Well done.

Buttons (Danny Shaw) certainly did bring his part to life. He encouraged the little ones in the audience from the start. His relationship with Cinders and the rest of the cast was lovely. Well done.

Cinders (Keira Edwards) was quite feisty but coped well in the first half without a mic, which was sorted for Act II. She was obviously very comfortable on stage. Her duet “Die with a Smile” with the Prince (Emma Evans) was beautiful.

Chip and Pin (Sam Lawson and Kornelia Stranc) had lots of energy and a real comedy duo. They popped up all over the place with their own take on the story. They never didn’t sit under the apple tree but were very good in the “if I were not upon the stage” number. Another positive performance from Dandini (Liv Jones). Botulina (Bev Dunkley) the wicked stepmother had a different take on the character with her posh voice and looked very angry.

She was certainly in charge of Cinderella and the Ugly Sisters

And then we have the sisters Cardi and Shardi (Steve Davies and Jay Timms) They certainly took over the panto and into the audience, lots of ad lib moments and raising lots of laughter. They wore their dresses and green hair with pride. They did a great song and dance with the audience straight in there clapping along.

Poor Baron Hardup (Mike Jones) and King Fred the First (Euan Keogh) had a hard time with their children, so were very quiet on stage along with Major Domo (Luke Hall). There were lots of changes of tempo which always help in a show.

Congratulations on your panto. You may have a small cast but all principals are covered very well and the chorus had a varied amount of involvement. 

Well done to everyone.

The views in this report are solely of the author.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.