SIMPLY CINDERELLA. To 24 January.
Leicester.
SIMPLY CINDERELLA
music & lyrics by Grant Olding book by Toby Davies.
Curve Theatre, Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB To 24 January 2009.
Tue–Sat 7.30pm Mati Wed & Sat 8, 12 Jan 2.15pm 13 & 20 Jan 10.15am.
Runs 2hr 20min One interval.
Enquiries: 0116 2423560.
TICKETS: www.curveonline.co.uk
Review: Geoff Ambler 31 December 2008.
Cinderella becomes simply a modern girl in this most modern of theatres, the Curve.
Written for the opening of Leicester’s groundbreaking new curvy Curve theatre, Simply Cinderella gives new British writing a prestigious big-stage outing. Curve is an ultra-modern looking theatre incorporating two auditoria and stage walls that can be raised, allowing a view from the street. Architect’s fancy, gimmick or giant leap into a new age of theatre without walls remains to be seen, but Curve is certainly impressive.
Their first production also parts from tradition. Simply Cinderella is set in a failing shoe factory where machinist Cinderella creates a sparkling pair of shoes. Magical, as well as inflammable, they transport her from a truly nasty stepmother and a pair of ugly-spirited sisters back to the time when the factory was a 1940’s dance hall. An improbable romance ensues between the Prince and a mesmerisingly stunning, ball-gowned Cinders, but that’s about where tradition ends. This Cinderella is a feisty modern girl, tolerating hell at home and work, an abusive family and a tragic fling. And rather than ending happily ever after, a management career in shoe-making beckons.
Developed against a deadline for the opening Simply lacked adequate preview time for adjustments. Some remarkable characters fill the story and a song-book that is in need of a cast recording gets lost in the various storylines. Despite this some wonderful songs, scenes and performers rise to the challenges among Francis O’Connor’s effective modern design.
Both the sisters and stepmother are utterly and irredeemably nasty, deserving pantomime boos and a decent come-uppance. Raj Ghatak’s Prince makes a dashing partner, not the hero the old Cinderella would have needed, but Simply Cinderella is made of stronger stuff. Savannah Stevenson’s Cinders sparkles throughout, lighting-up the stage she occupies for most of the show, only really disappearing for stroke-of-midnight quick changing. Always delivering perfection vocally, Stevenson also brings her natural charm to the tale of a charmingly ordinary girl who discovers a little magic, a little love and a new career.
While Adam Cooper’s production could have done with more development time it benefits from strong music and a comic cast. And Curve promises to be an interesting venue.
Cinderella: Savannah Stevenson.
Prince: Raj Ghatak.
Helena: Dawn Hope.
Amber: Nicola Blackman.
Coral: Emma-Jayne Appleyard.
Pearl: Jenna Boyd.
Postman/Policeman: Dennis Victory.
Roger Glass/Dr Schroeder: Anthony Clegg.
Baker (Ensemble):: Angus Macmillan.
Benny, Milkman (Ensemble): Ricardo Coke-Thomas.
Ensemble: Kiara Jay, Sherene Hanly, Lucy Mills, Stephanie Siadatan.
Students: Victoria Brogan, Thomas Brown, Lauryn Campbell, Heather Cannon, Daniel Harrison, Jemma Jarowicki, Hollie Payne, Gemma Phelan.
Director: Adam Cooper.
Designer: Francis O'Connor.
Lighting: Chris Ellis.
Sound: Ben Harrison.
Musical Director: Richard Balcombe.
Associate director: Iqbal Khan.
2009-01-05 00:45:07