Cinderella

Athelstan Players’s
Production of

“Cinderella” by Norman Robbins.

Director – Christine Mace
Stage Manager – Katie Millard,

Lighting & Sound Design – Martin Johnson & Katie Millaerd
As seen by Bob Allen, NODA SW District 14 Representative

on Thursday, 27th, November, 2025

at St Mary’s Hall, Gloucester Road, Malmesbury, Wilts, SN16 0AH.
( on behalf of Angus Sheppard-Hughes, local NODA Representative )

PLEASE NOTE:

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 effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in
particular the performance viewed. 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.

I was visiting this group as cover for a colleague and was delighted to look forward to
a traditional pantomime – and you don’t come much more traditional than a script
written by Norman Robbins. That said I was not expecting the performance I saw.
The Athelstan Players are a group of local people who were out to enjoy themselves
and entertain the audience. What a great goal to aim for. Here was a show that was
not refined but went for the killer laughs. The cast was of mixed ages and plenty of
time was put aside for the junior members to shine. And there was opportunity for
the more mature members still to tread the boards for a joke or two. I would normally
be critical of the flow of the show and the hiccups on the way. But I cannot do this for
the performance I saw. There was so much energy and passion coming across the
edge of the stage that missed lines and placings could be forgiven. It is quite a few
years since I have watched such enthusiasm from a small group. I enjoyed every
minute of it. I will make some comments but I hope that the other audiences enjoyed
the show as much as I did.
The basic scenery was well painted and Cinderella’s coach was well designed in a
simple manner. The royal costumes were full of shine whilst the more humble were
character lead. There were plenty of costume changes for all characters and those
responsible are to be congratulated. I cannot wonder at the time taken to fit all the
cast. Also the lighting and sound effects were good considering the location. The
whole of the stage generally was kept clear and there was a small step down from
the stage to a thrust stage. I worried that the cast would slip up on the small drop
down but they were all to used to that threat.

I would like to comment firstly about the young dancers who were all so good at their
routines. Each routine was slid into the story line and they became stars in their own
right. I particularly liked the fox hunting routine and the final disco dancers. Its these
add-ons to the script which makes of breaks a Pantomime in my opinion.
You had a great young lady playing Cinders. A good singing voice but a smile that lit
up the stage. Her Father and Step Mother were wonderfully bad to Cinders and
made the most of their parts – wigs permitting! I was very fond of Buttons- although
he was fighting a virus that reduced his voice. He had a very natural line delivery
which I admired. Dandini is always a very bland part but the young man was
handsome and easily could be mistaken for the Prince. He had poise with every
entrance. The actual Prince Charming had so much stage presence that we just had
to like her. Fairy Godmother was a sweetie and did all that we would expect. The
Broker’s men had a very difficult role to play in the storyline and did well to mix the
humour with the acting. I apologise for not knowing the movements to the
sharksong- this old boy is just too old! Even the smaller parts of Major Domo &
footman were played with affection.
Last but not least we have two recent converts to the Ugly Sisterhood. They were
just so bad that they were good. As a suggestion I would have given them other
means of fighting each other – say pinches or toe stamping. This would have just
given them three choices how to be mean to each other. The handbag swinging
became just too much by the end of the show. Both guys worked well together and
brought the stage to life. Congratulations gentlemen. Although they both declared
their attempt at winning the NODA award for best male actor I think I may past on
that idea!

Thank you Athelstan Players for such a warm welcome and a good evening out.

I hope to visit again soon.
Kind Regards,

Bob Allen. NODA SW district 14 Representative

N.B. The comments above are solely the view of the representative attending and

only reflects the performance seen.

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