CINDERELLA till 10 January

Lichfield
CINDERELLA: Roy Hudd (a Hiss and Boo production)
Garrick: 01543 412 121
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval, till January 10
Review: Rod Dungate, 19 December 2003

It moves with pace, I didn't smile politely throughout I laughed out loud.It's absolutely charming: in the best possible way Roy Hudd's script and John David's production take us (including, importantly the young audience) back to more innocent times. Yes, there are some jokes that might require an adult's view of the world to work out a journey on the M6 being mistaken for a journey twice on the M3 but this is a show for the youngsters which is how it should be.

Roy Hudd is a much respected expert on Music Hall and his script is evidence of it. Quick fire jokes, foolish pranks, generous sprinkling of songs and scenes that never, ever hang around it moves with pace. Jimmy Cricket (Buttons) is also a major factor in its success. Nothing brash or in-yer-face about this clown he gently strokes you into laughter: 'Come over here, lean in a bit' his constant refrain. His naïve humour is as successful in releasing the child in us adults as it is in communicating directly with a house full of young people. I didn't smile politely throughout I laughed out loud.

John and Jim Lavelle are suitably grotesque as the ugly sisters, and being brothers even look like sisters, if you see what I mean. Their opening outfits are marvellous. Benjamin J Tyreman brings a warm personality to Dandini ensuring he doesn't pale into insignificance among the other broader roles. You know the routine where a ghost pops off a line of people one at a time? Well, it's replaced by Dandini with a pistol training the Ugly Sisters and Buttons to sing Silent Night. Marvellous stuff.

Charlotte Gibson is a bright and youthful Cinderella with oodles of energy and sparkle: Bryn Christopher (Prince Charming) sings well particularly in his upper register but is under energised and tends to get lost among the others.

Buttons: Jimmy Cricket
Cinderella: Charlotte Gibson
Ugly Sisters: John and Jim Lavelle
Baron Hardup: Anthony Gleave
Fairy Godmother: Helen Watson
Prince Charming: Bryn Christopher
Dandini: Benjamin J Tyreman

Director: John David
Choreographer: Donna Wilcox
Costumes: Frank Kershaw
Musical Director: Brian Farley
Lighting: Roger Frith

2003-12-20 12:50:52