Cinders

I was delighted to be invited to see Cinders performed by CAOS Academy, and for the first time at the Eppic Theatre in Ecclesfield. CAOS are a well-established society performing musicals with their senior section and the Academy being run and totally supported by so many of the adult group. So much so that later this year they will celebrate 100 years of entertaining audiences in Sheffield and Rotherham culminating in a production of Oliver in April when the whole society, young and old , will come together. 

Cinders based on the well known pantomime  Cinderella. This is a well written score, with plenty of the expected pantomime content but a wonderful twist near the end. The production duo of Claire and David Clayton must be complemented for their vision and guidance whilst directing lovely solos, duets, small groups and full ensemble with some great movement and staging. Guiding the actors to deliver well timed and clear speech, well delivered and enthusiastic singing and great characterization. Unlike most pantomime having the baddy stage left and the fairy stage right in this we had two very capable performers as Narrator 1 Annabella Lucas  and Narrator 2 Freya Walsh, both showing great stage presence with clear line delivery sometimes working together and sometimes separately but keeping the audience informed throughout. Buttons by Lily Thompson and Cinders by Ruby Thomas, you both performed really well throughout, some lovely scenes together and along with many other cast members. Buttons certainly captured the audience with his kindness and clear love for Cinders and Cinders showing the quiet downtrodden side but remaining totally in character,along with clear vocals. Your combined duets of ‘Friendship’ and ‘ This is our Story’ both not only sung but acted very well. The script gave Buttons many great lines ,to name but one, when being called Velcro by the Ugly sisters , he replied ‘ its not Velcro its Buttons’ great fun. Finally by total contrast to the usual Cinderella you won each other’s hearts.

The Royal party , what a great team you all made , so many differing characters. The King by Ben Ingrosso and The Queen by Grace Ludlow , your differing heights simply added to the performance bringing the best out of the humour , all well delivered and the combined interpretation of Chu Chi Face, so well mimed and acted well done . The Queen’s lady in waiting by Isla Cowan, what a confident well performed role along with some great acting and your singing when taking the lead in I Wanna Dance with Somebody. What can we say about Prince Charming by Isobel Chandler. Is my hair ok ? How do I look? Am I not the most wonderful Prince there ever was ? Well done always preening and posing and never stopped falling in love with yourself, a great part performed really well whilst giving the audience lots of smiles every time you appeared. We mustn’t forget your guards , Rowan Brown, Darcy Lyons-Dennis and Nancy Cockayne, dressed in black and white along with dark glasses , you three played your parts well throughout maintaining strict discipline ,emotionless tough facial expression and great movement. Dandini by Brodie Brown, another well performed role with many lovely asides with Cinders in particular when referring to Prince Charming, and your involvement in Together Wherever We Go number, great fun.

Fairy Godmother by Mollie Harding, How is your back ? well done bringing real fun to the character ,lovely singing during ‘ Spotlight’ along with Cinders and ensemble Your reactions to varying scenes and when Buttons referred to the shoes being 100 years old just like Granny. Mr Shifter by Blake Daniels along with two assistants by Jessika Hall and Thomas Needham . The three of you did really well with the delivery of varying incorrect pantomime set pieces, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin along with moments of aspiring dancers when dancing to the Copa Cabana , very comedic slapstick humour well delivered.

We cant have a performance of Cinders without  the Ugly Sisters by Abbie Cawton as Petunia and George Strutt as Begonia. Crazy costumes,wild wigs and full on confident performances along with a lovely rendering of Sisters with Cinders . You managed to get the audience boos and milked it to encourage more , lovely team work ,well done. The Royal  Announcer by Charlotte Newton, what a great cameo, your timing with the Triangle along with a cheeky smile was excellent . 

The joy of this production gave the opportunity forall the cast to have named parts with small cameos during the production, including Lord Gripington by Erin Rice, Countess of Gripington by Josie Higgs, Newspaper seller by Eliza Clayton , Wishee Washy by Lottie Walker and Palace Servant by Humphrey Needham . I enjoyed all your individual performances, you should all be proud. 

The sets were simple but effective with an excellent back cloth , the changes by part back stage and part cast were seamless not interfering with the production. Sound and lighting were well executed and  balanced. The costumes well thought out and fitting to the performance. 

A lovely evening of cleverly directed pantomime delivered well by the all engaging cast. 

Thank you for the invite and excellent friendship and hospitality from all the front of house along with the pleasure of saying a few words on stage after the performance

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