CINDERS: THE TRUE STORY. To 4 January.
>London
CINDERS: THE TRUE STORY
by David Tristram
Jackson's Lane To 4 January 2004
2pm,7pm Mat 11am Sat, Sun
Runs 1hr 50min One interval
TICKETS: 020 8341 4421
boxoffice@jacksonslane.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 28 December
Rough, if ready, panto performed with a good will.Jackson's Lane, across the road from Highgate Underground, is a spacious and pleasant community arts venue. And in their larger studio theatre they've decided to put on a locally-available panto rather than be merely a place passed by north Londoners' travelling to the city centre for Christmas entertainment. The result has the strengths and limitations that might be expected.
Staging is rudimentary. This isn't panto as spectacle; rather the bare stage with minimal props and a few projections is used as a strength. Writer David Tristram is adamant there's no way Cinderella (notice, even the name's given in cutdown form in the title) could have had access to a pumpkin. And, no pumpkin, no coach. So the heroine rolls up to the ball on a skateboard.
The same applies to the casting. When a flash and puff of smoke reveals the show's Hairy Godmother in the form of Alan Mitchell, bright in pink dress but otherwise appearing fit for spot of nightclub bouncing, and he apologetically points out he was the only one who turned up for the auditions, you can believe him. Oh yes, you can.
But Mitchell has an amiability that leads gently through a show which also nicely contrasts Tara Hendry's Cinders with the sort of bright-eyed positive approach to life you just know'll make her happier than most of those around and the neatly different uglinesses of her sisters played by Christopher Biddle and Stewart Fraser.
Other playing suggests there could have been other cases where auditions threw up little choice, though Genevieve Swallow brings a determinedly curled lip to the nasty stepmother.
It's all done with energy and goodwill, not least the stylish piano accompaniment and pre-act music from Martyn Niele. I'd question, though, the claim of suitability for 3-303. At the lower end, Highgate would need hardy youngsters to appreciate the sudden smoke flashes and some of the dialogue; at the other, while the comically apolitical Tony Blair impersonation would probably be enjoyed, there might be questions as to what has happened in latter years to ye satire upon Prime Minister Walpole.
Hairy Godmother: Alan Mitchell
Cinders: Tara Hendry
Dotty: Christopher Biddle
Potty: Stewart Fraser
Prince Charming: Kristian Studsgaard
Dandini: Susan Boyd
Baron Hard-up: Jonathan Tanner
Baroness Hard-up: Genevieve Swallow
Buttons: Martyn Barmby
Director: Melanie Wynwyard
Lighting: Ian Brown
Musical Director: Martyn Niele
Choreographer: Elizabeth Blake
2004-01-01 09:20:47