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Review: Cinderella

December 12, 2007


Venue: Opera House, Manchester
Date Reviewed: 12th December 2007

star

The pantomime season is underway again and many big venues cast television stars, in order to sell tickets. You can see why, as on its opening night, Cinderella was packed with families, keen to see some old fashioned fun. This one stars Johnny Briggs and Tina O’Brien, both evacuees from the cobbles on Coronation Street in this lively and funny take on Cinders and The Ugly Sisters.

O’Brien does really well as the put upon heroine, looking beautiful and managing to a hold tune also. Briggs is also game as her father, with most of his gags linked to his alter ego; the deceased Mike Baldwin. Likewise, Bernie Nolan plays the Fairy Godmother with real grace and her excellent vocal delivery leave you longing to see her on stage again.

Local Radio star, Mike Toolan puts in a surprisingly assured turn also as Prince Charming but he is predictably acted off stage by experienced theatre actor, Richard Reynard as a Cockney Dandini.

There are plenty of contemporary touches, such as songs by the Scissor Sisters and Take That juxtaposed with the traditional elements that you associate with the genre, stopping the show from becoming stale.

Eric Potts’ script is excellent, gaining more cheesy laughs per minute than any other Christmas production. Steve Walls’ Buttons is utterly engaging, delivering Potts’ gags like bullets. But he also brings sentiment to the piece with ease, working wonderfully with kids picked from the audience.

The Ugly Sisters- Britney and Paris are played with relish by Steve Luck and Roger Kitter, as their energy is unending, as is the length of some of their garish costumes! This dynamic duo embrace the show for what it is; unabashed fun.

Live music adds a unique selling point and makes a welcome change from the usual loud pre-recorded vocals. Similarly, David Lee’s choreography is much better than you expect in a pantomime.

Despite the odd pacing problem, resulting in an overlong first half that needs cutting, this witty fairytale has all of the right ingredients to restore your faith in this curious, but timeless format. Go on; take your friends and remember: “ridicule is nothing to be scared of!”

-Glenn Meads

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