Cinderella

This year’s offering from NOMADS, CINDERELLA, written by Alan P Frayn and directed by Allan Baxter was once again a fun-filled family show.   I won’t bother to reiterate the story.  If you don’t know it, you should be ashamed of yourself …. Oh, yes you should …  

As well as Cinders herself (Lizzie Mann) all the firm favourites put in an appearance, Baron Hardupp (Chas Graney, looking quite posh even though he didn’t have two ha’pennies to rub together), his new wife Baroness Hardup (Vicky McCormick), the cheerful and love-struck Buttons (David Philpott, with energy worthy of two long life batteries) and of course the essential Ugly Sisters Grizzelda and Gertrude (Steve Beach and Colin Scott) whose comic interaction with the audience and themselves was the highlight of the evening.  With make-up verging on the grotesque a plethora of colourful dresses and wigs, these two actors not only looked comfortable in their roles and outfits, but convinced this reviewer that they were indeed born to play this dreadful duo. 

Then, of course, we had the handsome Prince Charming (Laura Jolley) whose great voice did full justice to the songs and her valet Dandini (Victoria Ward) who worked extremely well together

There were nice performances from Alan Coogan and Andy McGowan as demolition men Bodgett and Leggett about to foreclose on and refurbish Hardup Hall. Another couple of actors who worked well together and congratulations to them on their rendition of Bob the Builder Mambo No. 5 which was very clever and not as easy as they made it look.

Cherry Ackerely as Fairy Godmother kept a twinkle in her eye as well as her wand to provide some nice linking material.  The youngsters in the chorus acquitted themselves well playing assorted Friends, Footmen, Guards, Courtiers and forest animals. I particularly liked Ollie Beresford as the principal footman.  

The colourful costumes were a credit to Sarah Willshire and her team. The settings were bright and cheerful and the lighting ‘spot on‘.  The musical numbers (MD Mark Checkley) and dance routines (by Andy Thorpe) were deftly executed whilst the jokes ranged from the highly amusing to the downright corny. 

I cannot end this review without mentioning Hagan the horse.  Here was the best pantomime horse I have ever seen.  The costume was excellent but the two inside it were brilliant.  Their fancy footwork got well deserved applause.  Congratulations whoever you are/were!

This production provided just the right balance of experience and freshness. Once again NOMADS demonstrated their ability to produce an entertaining seasonal offering with the emphasis firmly on talent of all ages and experience. 

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