CINDERELLA till 28 January
Birmingham
CINDERELLA
Birmingham Hippodrome: Tkts 0870 730 1234
www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Runs: 2h 45m, one interval, till 28 January 2007
Review: Rod Dungate, 20 December
Better than ever – what more could you want
This year’s offering from the Hippo truly is dynamite panto. All the elements of the story are intact, all the regular routines from Buttons and the Ugly sisters are there too. But everything is carried out with huge vigour and commitment; from the moment the opening chords burst upon us and the Fairy Godmother appears swinging along, high up on a sparkling crescent moon, the show powers onwards to its fairly tale ending. The result? – The Hippodrome this year has bettered its best.
No small part of the show’s success goes to the high-octane performance of Brian Conley as Buttons. He creates a genuine and warm relationship with us. So whether he’s accidentally stepping off the front of the stage, trying to tell Cinderella how much he loves her (and demonstrating to us how he’d like to snog with her!) or harassing Prince Charming with a bird puppet, we’re with him every step of the way. He is our friend. Conley is the most accomplished all-round performer I’ve seen for a long time. Marvellous.
Shobna Gulati is our Fairy Godmother. She creates a fine comic performance, full of right good Northern no-nonsense advice. ‘Cinderella, you shall go to the ball,’ she declares; then stops the show ‘I’ve always wanted to say that!’ You could feed chicken on that line, couldn’t you? But it did make me laugh – it probably strikes a deep desire in us all.
Peter Robbins and Nigel Ellacott are a great double act as sisters Trinny and Susannah, ready for anything – including two Palace guards (poor guards!) Michelle Potter helps keep the whole show buoyant with her charming and engaging Cinderella.
What more could you want?
Buttons: Brian Conley
Fairy Godmother: Shobna Gulati
Prince Charming: Sean Needham
Cinderella: Michelle Potter
Baron Hardup: Dawson Chance
Trinny: Peter Robbins
Susannah: Nigel Ellacott
Dandini: Jody Crosier
Villagers and Guests at the Ball: Sinead Blairs, Louise Corbett, Nathan Daniel, Sean Hackett, Lucy James, Bethany King, Desi Valentine, Wesley Wareing, Kitty Whitelaw, Andy Young
Juveniles: Birmingham Stage School
Director: Paul Elliott
Choreographer: Heather Douglas
Musical Director: Robert Willis
Lighting Designer: David W Kidd
Fight Director: Karl Magee
2006-12-21 11:08:28