Cinderella and The Velvet Slipper

This is the first pantomime I’ve seen by the group, and the matinee was packed with families ready to enjoy the show. Many of the characters had a slightly different role to the traditional story, which I found very interesting – Dandini opened the show, as the principal boy, treated dreadfully by his stepmother and stepbrother, Queen and Prince Charming.

Leigh Perry played the exuberantly regal Queen beautifully, before abdicating and flying off to Barbados. James Pugh gave a confident performance as the regency style Prince in wig and white powdered face, obsessed with his looks, social media, and the need to be King. His song ‘I want it all’ was delivered well, though I’d have preferred the volume on his microphone to be a bit louder. Gemma Feasey was engaging and very likeable as Dandini, the first 5 minutes talking to the audience about having to look after the Queen’s feet was very funny, and a great quick change in Act 2 from prison to ballroom costume.

Cinderella was played well by new-comer Charlotte Hall, as a sweet and kind character, with the aspiration to move out, get away from the housework, and have 3 cats. There were two solos and two duets to sing, with some pitch and timing issues, which possibly improved by the evening show, being more familiar with the backing tracks. Cinderella was a confident presence even when sharing the stage with large personalities like the Prince, her Sisters, and her Godmother, well done Charlotte, an impressive performance for a 16-year old’s debut.

This panto has two dame characters, sisters Davina and Georgina, played by Ross McTaggart and Nick Hewes, a charismatic double act. Their interaction with the audience was great, as was reciting long lists of chores for Cinderella, stopping short of a rude reference each time. Their comedy songs worked well too.

Another change to the usual story was the Witchy Godmother Toggles, in place of a Fairy Godmother. Charlie Willett was fabulous in green face paint, wig and dress, casting spells and curses on the quiet, because magic had been made illegal. Debbie Irby played Buttons, Cinderella’s best friend and Toggles’ son, nagging his mum not to be caught doing magic.

Another supporting role was Sue Walker as Twiddle, the Court Clerk, keeping a capable eye on matters being constitutionally correct. It is worth a mention that the pace and speaking projection of everyone was very good, and not a prompt needed. All the costumes where spot on for each character, vibrant and detailed, with lots of changes for the Queen, and two Sisters. The group is lucky to have a stock of costumes and some skilled members in the wardrobe department.

The scenery and sets were impressive, designed and painted in-house, with back drops, spinning side flats and side cloths, and free-standing flats for the palace and Cinderella’s grand house, adding interest and depth to the stage. Scenes set in the Witchy Godmother’s house, the prison, and on the woodland path, used half stage drapes and furniture pieces and props to good effect. I really liked how each location had a different colour theme and style.

As director, Pauline Roast delivered a very entertaining pantomime, keeping interest in longer scenes with good placements and movement, in the ballroom scene in particular, with court dancing in pairs while speaking dialogue, and interludes of 1990s clubbing and Riverdance – very creative and fun to watch. Lighting was effective, and good use of sound effects. The printed programme was again of high quality, with a wordsearch and ‘find the potion bottle’ game to keep the kids entertained.

I am grateful for the warm welcome from Michelle, front of house, and the backstage tour afterwards. It was a very enjoyable afternoon at the panto, congratulations to the cast and crew.

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