Cinderella

Newport Amateur Theatrical Society (NATS for short) pride themselves on being a true community theatre group with a passion for live theatre, who don't take themselves too seriously, but nevertheless strive to put on a good show.  So, for their 2015 pantomime offering, the group had chosen the slightly unconventional version of Cinderella, scripted by David Swan, a well-known writer of pantomimes available from the NODA catalogue.  In this version, Cinder's step-mother is really a witch, who with her clumsy apprentices Trick and Treat, really stirs things up. Prince Charming is a football fanatic, "one-of-the-lads" and not really interested in falling in love, despite encouragement from his valet Dandini, who thinks he has a special gift with charming the ladies.  The step-sisters, usually portrayed as pantomime dames, are not so much ugly as spitefully attractive.  Buttons is acting as a tour guide of the run-down Castle Fortune and there's a friendly piggy by the name of Pongo, who makes some dreadfully realistic noises!  There's a Halloween Ball, a man-eating spider and an episode of Blind Date thrown into the mix, too!

And didn't we have some fun - oh, yes we did!  The audience were drawn in pretty much from the start and during the performance had to demonstrate how to bow and curtsey, learn to hand-jive and imitate the sound of the castle's large swinging bell, which was rigged up on the proscenium!

The set, cleverly designed and built by Steve Dunn and the in-house team, under the stage management of Jacqueline Pullen, provided a good representation of the rather run-down interior of a once proud baronial Hall, complete with fireplace with billowing smoke effect, and with several entrances and exits to allow variety to the action.  This was transformed for the scene at Prince Charming's masked Halloween Ball.  The witches den and the chase scene were improvised by drawing the tabs across, which just sometimes were delayed.  Yvonne Hannant had devised a costume plot which was both colourful and appropriate for the characters and chorus.  James McCaffrey and Joe Higham, as the technical team, provided well-cued lighting and sound effects, complete with pyrotechnics and strobe lighting - this was particularly effective during the scene at the Ball when Prince Charming and Cinderella first meet - the rather clever visual effect of a movie scene in slow motion!  The volume of the backing tracks for the various well-chosen and well-rehearsed musical numbers was supportive and didn't overpower the quality of the vocals, particularly during the solo numbers.

As Director, Will Murray, assisted by Lisa Hannant, had chosen a truly talented cast, who brought a real sense of fun and enjoyment to the piece.  Lois Williamson as Cinderella, was delightful and confident in her portrayal of the down-trodden but happily defiant and cheerful heroine.  Her performance of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" at the approach of the midnight hour at the Ball was well-sung, too, despite having to change over her hand-held microphone at some point duing the number.  John Oglesby, as Cinder's friend Buttons, had the audience in the palm of his hand right from the start with his outgoing personality.  Becky Monk as Zelda, the step-mother, was the epitome of wickedness, whilst Tammy Cranwell, as Wanda, the fairy godmother, brought a touch of good-natured humour and real warmth to her role, particularly during her song "Young At Heart".  Her impersonation of "our Cilla" in the Blind Date scene, when the rightful owner of the slipper is revealed, was quite something, too!

Olive Higham was obviously enjoying her role as the unconventional Prince Charming and was a good foil for Matt Squirrell's womanising antics as Dandini.  Lisa Hannant and Rosie Miller as the "ugly" sisters Lavatrina and Potterina both put in solid and amusing performances, as did Nell Fox and Hollie Wilson, as the bungling apprentice witches Trick and Treat. Completing the cast line-up were Kyle Banks as Baron Fortune and Charlotte Keys as Pongo the pig.  A very lively chorus of young performers, well-coached by Val Brodgen, as tourists, witches and various other minor roles, including the all-important clock, added much to the overall performance with their youthful enthusiasm.  A thoroughly enjoyable evening.  Well done all! 

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