THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE

What a tour de force for a young cast to take on – and to do it with such understanding and aplomb.  The Director and her Production Team are to be commended on the detail they got from their young people – in what was a charming production.

I loved the projections on the back wall, depicting each different scene, and the fact that they could be animated – i.e. the fire bursting into flame, and going through a door and down steps to the dungeon – so clever, and managed very well. 

Costumes were excellent – the majority of girls costumes were made by Bryony Reynolds, and looked fresh and colourful, with the added bonus of fitting each person beautifully.  The boys had colourful and suitable costumes too, which made it a very good-looking production, with great wigs too. 

Props were mostly kept to the minimum, with lighting enhancing the mood and feel of the piece.  I felt some of the mics were cutting in and out at times, but the cast carried on regardless, and gave us some extremely well-sung numbers, with nice harmonies.  The cast all interacted well and sang what must have been unfamiliar music with gusto.

Katie Osborne was a fine Cinderella – both vocally and expressively, a talented young lady, who was matched by Callum Bird as Prince Edward – he showed  understanding of his part, and got some irony and humour too.  A great leading pair, whose performances I enjoyed immensely.

Stepmother (Clara Chinnery-Jeffs) and her two daughters Palatine (Savanna Walsh) and Isabella (Caitlin Greaves) created a really obnoxious trio with zest – which contrasted well with the ambience of the King (Isabelle Georgescu) and his Queen (Chloe Ragui), more regal and withdrawn, again well-drawn portrayals, and partnerships which worked well.

John (Lucia Kidman) was the firm but supportive friend of the Prince, an empathy shown, and also a lovely voice, whilst Lord Chamberlain (Lottie Corcoran) was convincing as the old family retainer offering advice to the King.

Montague (Vito Kidman) showed good comic timing, and had us laughing, he also characterised well, one of several performers who showed marked improvement.

Fairy Godmother (Freya Mullen) brought her brand of mature performance to the part, with much expression and making the most of the words – always a joy.

Major Domo (Joshua Marsberg), Lady Caroline (Ruby Imberg) and Dowager Queen (Isabelle George) completed the Royal Household very nicely, all looking and acting their parts.

Lucy Leventhal, Abbey Rowson, Michelle Fensome, Elsie White, Eris Adshead and Iris Levy played various smaller parts, but did so which such confidence and enthusiasm for their first outing with Parodos, which I found very engaging.

All in all a delightful production, that suffered a little from some technical issues which were beyond the team’s control, but no-one allowed that to overshadow their joy in performing, and giving us a really good production.

My thanks to Parodos for their hospitality, always a joy to watch young performers, and to note the undoubted year on year improvement in their abilities, which is very gratifying, and which I’m sure makes the production team very proud.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.