Cinderella

Given the now customary warm welcome by Sally, Richard and the front of house crew, and after the obligatory raffle purchase, we took our seats and settled in, looking forward to a good evening's entertainment. We were not to be disappointed.

An open stage greeted us behind a thin syche with the show projected at the front revealed a vibrant street scene that you would associate with a Cinderella panto production. The band, a small six piece expertly led by Howard Corbett as MD struck up and we were transported to the land of Stoneybroke. The staging was greatly enhanced ny the lighting, well programmed and very effective. The costumes, and there were many of them were bright and colourful, a real feast for the eyes and really added to the overall feel good factor that a panto brings. 

The choreography was simple and effective, Lucy Creighton as choreographer and Alick Leech had put the cast through their paces and they all seemed very well rehearsed. Well timed movement and confident entrances and exits very much in evidence here. You could be forgiven here that the diction (both sung and spoken) would be lost. Not at all, very good indeed and enhanced very well by Mark Bourne and his sound team. A great balance between the band and the cast, nothing lost, which meant that all the traditional panto jokes were delivered and heard.

The cast were very well led by Immy Perrin as Cinderella and Hattie Funnell as Prince Charming but backed up in glorious panto style by Adam Rush as Grizelda and Noah Collingwood as Gertrude, who's interaction together and comic timing were a joy to see, with Lizzie Bewley as the mother, Baroness Rubella, holding it all together.

As one that traditionally does not overly enjoy pantomime (Oh yes he does...), this was a fantastically entertaining evening. Sound, Lighting, diction, choreography and the jokes (well almost) all very "Spot On" well done all, I'm nearly converted.

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