Association of Community Theatre

CINDERELLA

Lowton O.A. & D.S.

 

Director: Lisa Kelleher

Choreography: Cathie Henry & Bethan Littlewood

Music supplied by backing tracks.

 

Owing to the demolition of their venue this nomadic society pitched their “Panto tent” at a High School to present their festive offering. This small band of dedicated members brought about a fun-filled entertainment.

 

The oldest of the pantomimes, first seen in England at Drury Lane in 1804 as “Harlequin and Cinderella” or the “Little Glass Slipper” had an entertaining new script; not too wordy, and the jokes were not dated. There were a few twists and turns on the traditional Cinderella story. I did wonder whether or not naming the Broker’s Men Wonga and Quickquid, and trying to make humour out of “payday loans“ was such a good idea.

 

When one goes to see pantomime there are so many elements within the presentation that make each one special. In this presentation, every character onstage was recognisable by their costumes. The song selection was up to date and delivered confidently.

 

There was no scenery, just stage settings and props. Did the absence of scenery matter? Not at all. This presentation worked due to the intimate venue which enable the focus to be totally on the characters. For this re-telling of the well-known story, the delivery of the lines, and the engagement with the audience was the winning formula. To enable this to happen the technical team dipped into their magic box and created a wonderful spectacle. The direction and choreography lifted the cast and complemented the overall concept.

 

The audience was made up of young families, many of the young children having their first theatrical experience. They piled down the aisle and sat there throughout, totally engrossed in the action on stage as their storybook characters came alive.

 

A small hard working ensemble together with supporting cast kept the fairy-tale moving along at a good pace. The Broker’s men, Steven Jackson and Clair Sharples, along with Jon Kennedy, King and Tracy Peet, as his Queen were integral players. Prince Charming was given all the required thigh slapping by Cathie Henry. Her undoubted experience carried off the royal principal boy. Charming’s sidekick, Dandini, was pluckily portrayed by Bethan Littlewood who proved to be a delight from her very first entrance.

 

The destiny of Cinderella and Prince Charming was nicely manipulated by Cinder’s Fairy Godmother, played by Lisa Kelleher. Taylor Pilkington brought warmth into the role of the scullery maid, Cinderella. Keeping a close eye on Cinderella’s domestic drudgery is Buttons. Susan Halton delivered her Buttons in the style of Janette Krankie working the audience and never letting the energy drop. Maybe a wig would have completed the characterisation.

 

On the evil side, it was not the gruesome twosome but a grisly threesome, two sisters and their mother. All in drag, Bernard Holding, as Dolce, could have won a gurning competition and Liam Thompson, was outrageous as Gabanna. They both worked well together with their sparring, getting the most out of the script. Baroness Hardup, Christopher Holding, earned his hisses and boos. The interplay between all three of them was pure pantomime.

 

The whole company transported both adults and children to feelgood land with this warm-hearted Christmas cracker.