CINDERELLA till 11 January 2009

Northampton

CINDERELLA
By Jonathan Kiley. With Music and Lyrics by Olly Ashmore
RoyalandDerngate Theatre to 11 January
Mon. to Sat. Evenings and Matinees at various times
Runs 2hrs 15 mins: one interval

Tickets: 01604 624811.
www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Review: Ian Spiby, 20 December 2008.

Everything you would expect!

This Cinderella, from Qdos Pantomimes, provides a well-packaged, lavish production replete with expensive sets and costumes and enough special effects to satisfy the most jaded appetite.

It is unashamedly centred around Jimmy Osmond as Buttons and the script attempts (largely successfully) to satisfy two kinds of people in the audience.

The biggest section consists of those who wish to see all the traditional elements of a pantomime and for them there is plenty to feast on. Cinderella goes to the ball in a glittering coach pulled by real Shetland ponies amid snow which falls onto us as well as on the stage. We are showered with water from water pistols and amazed by a myriad of explosions. Streamers are fired from cannons and lighting effects from glitter balls dazzle our eyes. Every main character has several changes of costume, all superbly made and the scenery changes more times than you can shake a stick. There are topical references for the adults and opportunities aplenty for the kids to shout.

The other part of the audience are Jimmy Osmond fans (yes they really do exist)and all they want is to hear him sing his songs – and sing them he does, even down to Long-Haired Lover from Liverpool. My impression of Mr Osmond is that he is a really nice guy, albeit unambiguously bland.

I was much relieved then, when Baron Hardup (Peter Piper) appeared on stage. At last, a comic who knows how to work an audience – his scene with the volunteer children on stage (so often cringingly embarrassing) is pure delight, as are his impressions, among others of Ali G and Basil Fawlty. The Ugly Sisters (Brian Godfrey and Darren Southworth) are gloriously outrageous but they could learn lessons from Mr Piper about how to relate to an audience instead of just delivering gags. Cinderella (Danielle York) is pretty and acts and sings attractively while all that is required of Prince Charming is that he stand around looking handsome – and this Ryan Dawson does. In contrast, Andrew Stone invests the thankless role of Dandini with real life and energy.

More attention could have been paid to basic stage direction – far too often the principals stand in a straight line facing the audience delivering their lines.
These quibbles apart, the cast and crew manage to recreate the magic of pantomime and the audience go home thoroughly satisfied at having a good night out.

Cast: Buttons: Jimmy Osmond, Baron Hardup: Peter Piper, Cinderella: Danielle York, Ugly Sisters: Brian Godfrey and Darren Southworth, Fairy Godmother: Emma Francis, Prince Charming: Ryan Dawson, Dandini: Andrew Stone, Lord Chamberlain: Ben Palmer, The Ensemble: Natalie Coleman, Georgina A Fisher, Sandro Franchini, Patrick George, Alicia Peacock, Freya Rowley, Juveniles: Juliet Ratnage School of Performing Arts

Executive Producer/Director: Jonathan Kiley, Assistant Director: Brian Godfrey, Choreographer: Ben Tribe, Musical Supervisor: Olly Ashmore, Lighting Designer: Graham McClusky, Production Manager: Gary Beeston, Company Stage Manager: Melissa Dormer, Deputy Stage Manager: Helen Clarkson, Acting Assistant Stage Manager: Ben Palmer, Assistant Stage Manager: Rob Martin, Wardrobe Master: Paul Millross, Assistant Wardrobe: Maureen Burns

2008-12-21 17:43:57