Cinderella

Cinderella - The New Garrett Theatre

The New Garrett Theatre take on Cinderella by Tom Whalley this year, updating the traditional pantomime and keeping the laughs and innuendoes abounding.

The composite set of a black box was the turned into several scenes with flats representing various shops and buildings you would find in a village. There was a raised area at back which had steps up the middle used to full effect at the ball - a white balustrade was used on it and white pillars around the stage, two with a flower display on. A bar was positioned Up Stage Left. A large clock that moved and ticked the time away was on the back wall and looked very effective. The back wall featured a village scene and then a star cloth. Various flats, furniture and props were brought on for other scenes. The Carriage and Unicorn looked magical. When the audience walked in the curtains were slightly parted to reveal Cinderella’s shoe placed on a red cushion on a column adding to story.. Set Design Matty Gilkey. Set Build and Painting was Paul Brighouse, Alan Brighouse, Cliff Hill, Zachery David, Bex Bagot, Immy Bagot, Jake Little, Susan Loudon, Louise Taaffe, Catherine Taylor, Helen Taylor and Poppy Travers. Pros by Yvonne Gerrard, Bex Bagot, Angela Hughes and Stephanie Maloney.

Lighting and Sound all helped support the show - Technical DSM was Carl Gerrard. Lighting Dean Warham, Spotlights Andy Poulton and Jay Nedaei-Moghanlou. Sound Design by James Warham and team - Rebecca Gerrard and Jack Topping.

Costumes looked good, from the recognisable blue buttons costume to the dame costumes loud and over the top, Loved the matching Marge Simpson look in the finale. Cinderella transformation was done in a twirl with her own raggy dress changing into a ball dress, giving a magic a feel. The fairy dress in blue with silver twinkly belt looked beautiful. The colour themed finale looking splendid. Wardrobe by Bex Bagot, Carole Boardman, Angela Hughes, Megan Smith, Louise Taaffe and Jake Little. Hair and Make-up by Rebecca Gerrard, Athina Aristidou, Megan Smith, Lousie Taaffe, Rachel Melia-Taylor Bethan Teale and Jake Little.

 

The directors were Jake Little and Louise Taaffe who clearly put the fun into the pantomime and even got in ‘6/7’ much to the delight of the younger audience. Scenes were quickly changed which helped the flow and the stage staff even got in on the act. Jake along with Ruth Welch also did the choreography. Megan Smith was the Musical Director and assisted by Catherine Taylor, strong voices from the cast. What was evident from this production was the community and inclusivity feel and many people doing more than one job and mucking-in so to speak. It certainly gave the show an holistic feel and the cast felt confident to go with the flow. With cheeky japes the audience lapped it up.

The chorus were supportive and integrated well into the show. Featured chorus were Joanne Coates, Stephanie Maloney, Jayne Reed, Poppy Travers. Chambers was played by Emma Swanton. Put upon father Baron Hardup was Zachery David. Megan Smith appeared to relish the evil as Baroness Vindicta and was great in the song Evil Like Me.

Dandini was played by Matty Gilkey who as one of the younger members of the cast gave a confident performance and brought out the comedy in the character. Working well with evil step sisters Fanny Hardup played by Josh Thomas and Danni Hardup played by Jim Taylor. The two were a force to be reckoned with coming out into the audience and picking on people. They definitely gave the vibe of bloke in a frock and it was funny. The scene when trying on the slipper with false leg and the long stocking gag. Lots of references to the local area which the audience loved.

Buttons played by Emma Quinn gave lots of energy to the character and also used local references. Emma had good interaction with the audience and the rest of the cast. Rachel Melia-Taylor played Fairy Godmother. Rachel looked lovely in her dress - very ethereal and also managed to bring the comedy to the part. Leading the story and as I said interacting with the audience. Lovely performance.

Catherine Taylor takes on the role of Prince Charming and made sure we were treated to the principal boy thigh slaps. Catherine looked assured and confident as Prince Charming and worked well with Adele Hurst who played the title role Cinderella. Adele gave us a quirky Cinderella which worked and also brought out the goofy side of her with added comedy. A different Cinderella, Great work .

Thank you for the invite and hospitality, the front of house is so welcoming with lots of smiles all round you can see it’s a real team effort. Thank you from my guest Beverley and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

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