Wales Community Theatre Players give the audience of the newly renovated Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield, a sparkling version of Cinderella as this year’s 80th Anniversary pantomime offering. An excellent script, detailed direction and excellent performance. Traditional all the way!
Cinderella arranged by Stage Right Creative Ltd and written by Alan P Frayn is a well written script with gags galore and much more than the average tongue in cheek moments. In fact, this pantomime is really one for the adults as well as the children. Something that was milked to the hilt by the ugly sister duo of Gertrude and Grizelda. Directed by Ashley Booker with Claire Harriott as Choreographer and Musical Direction by Ray Gallagher the production team did a fine job creating a side splittingly funny show with characters that defined the tradition. Cinderella has everything that is expected from a traditional pantomime – the narrator fairy Godmother, the messy baking and decorating scenes, the children invited onto stage to sing the obligatory silly song and the ‘he’s behind you’ moment had a great twist this year with the audience given 3D glasses to really be as ‘scared’ as the cast by the ghost, Ghoulies and ‘spiders’! Very effective! And we all felt for Buttons and his ‘Bunny Bob who kept being bothered!’ The Ugly sisters were just that… Ugly in every possible way! The fools Bodget and Leggett added to the hilarity along with the bungling Baron Hardup and his new gold digging wife Rubella. Meanwhile the Principal boy, Prince Charming, with his side kick Dandini searched the cast for the girl of the Prince’s dreams… on cue the downtrodden but beautiful inside and out, Cinderella.
The Set was the traditional Pantomime backdrops which were light by TD Lighting. Chris Preston on Sound ensured that the balance between the six strong band blended well with the performers on stage and the sound as a whole ensured the audience didn’t miss a word and break neck speed gag! The ensemble worked hard and sounded well as a collective vocal chorus, their dance was slick and they were engaged and responsive on stage.
With a very responsive Sheffield audience the cast milked every possible opportunity to involve all in their performance, embodying the word ‘community’. The same could be said on stage… with an inclusive performance where ALL the characters where allowed to shine. Paul Burgress as Buttons was everything we have come to expect from the role – likeable, easy with the audience, great with the kids and a friend to all. Hollie Riley’s Cinderella was full of personality and owned the stage on every entrance (a refreshing change from the insipid versions of the character that are almost invisible in comparison to the dominant Dame roles), Riley had a lovely singing voice to match her stage presence. Joseph Bairstow and Ann Mann again held their own in role with their Baron Hardup and Baroness (Rubella) Hardup. A result of a well written script and a very well performed interpretation! Alison Wade was a comforting to watch as the Fairy Godmother and her solo in the Land of Wishes was a real powerhouse vocal! I must say ‘Well done’ to Agatha Ingall for standing in for the role of Cambers due to Lynne Addis’ illness, it was a flawless performance.
Leggett (Dan Schofield) and Bodget (Lee Phillips) where an amazingly well rehearsed comedy duo who delivered their hilarious banter and comedic capers at the speed of light, very impressive and no easy feat! Eve Rowles as Dandini and Toni Cook as Prince Charming deliberately highlighted the difference in the two Principal boys and mention must go to their strong vocal duet performances. Now to the Dames, the Ugly sisters – Gertrude played by Dave Froggatt is the master of facial expressions, I found this characterisation hilarious! Frogatt delivered great detail in role and some lovely harmony lines during their singing duets, showing his class as a performer. Grizelda was played by Tom Ingall, as a look north reporter Ingall is used to the high pressure of performance, and this was evident in his depiction. Ingall’s interpretation was loud, brash and bawdy and showed total command. The Ugly sisters were a collective but individual and this were their strength. Probably the strongest Dames I have seen for a very long time!
The humour in this show was nonstop, the one liners, the innuendos, the physicality and the ad libs came thick and fast and didn’t give the audience a moment to relax, a great night entertainment from a well matched and rehearsed cast with well-defined characters.
From myself, my husband and my 7-year-old Granddaughter – May we thank you for your kind invite to attend – we had a lovely evening and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We are really looking forward to your next production – Shrek the Musical in July 2025.
Reviewer: Tracey Bell
Reviewed: 25th January 2025
North West End UK Rating: