Cinderella

Synopsis

1957 Broadway musical version. Cinderella is a poor scullery maid who suffers the torment of her wicked stepmother and spoiled stepsisters. She dreams of going to the ball and dancing with a handsome and charming prince who will sweep her off her feet. With a little bit of help - and magic - from her fairy godmother.

Our Review:

5 December 2011

Bold, slick and bright, this excellent production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella has verve, spirit and panache.

What this fringe venue's in-house musical lacks in budget for costumes is amply made up for with superb casting, a top sound rig and imagination by the pumpkin-load.

Backed by a cracking live band, there are strong vocal performances all round, but special mention goes to Helen Colby, versatile as Cinderella's cranky stepmother coaching her unfortunately named daughters to capture the Prince's heart, also doubling up as the heartwarming, wry cockney Fairy Godmother.

Cinderella's stepsisters themselves - the lisping, scratching, poetry-spouting Grace (Lydia Jenkins) and empty-headed Joy (Kate Scott) - make the funniest onstage double act I've seen in ages.

Kirsty Mann's earnest Cinderella is charming and when she meets nice Prince Christopher (Vlach Ashton) at the ball they harmonise well and share a simple, to...

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Latest User Review

Gareth James - 6 December 2011:

This isn¡¯t a panto, but a made-for-TV musical by the masters of the form. It starred Julie Andrews and when it was aired in 1957, some 100,000,000 watched ¨C 60% of the US population! Though it has been on stage before, outings are rare. I saw a lovely production at Bristol Old Vic almost exactly 8 years ago, but I¡¯m not sure it has been in London in the 30 years I¡¯ve lived here. So off to Turnham Green we go¡­.. They haven¡¯t changed the age-old story, but it¡¯s stripped down to nine characters, with an excellent Helen Colby here doubling-up as the Stepmother and the Fairy Godmother, and an ensemble of two! The music isn¡¯t their best, but better than much (and certainly better than any panto version I¡¯ve seen) and its played really well here by a 5-piece band (which sounds a lot bigger). Christopher Hone¡¯s design is superb, working wonders with the tiny Tabard Theatre space in very inventive ways that themselves make you smile and Alex Young¡¯s direction is very sure-footed indeed. Kirsty Mann and Vlach Ashton are excellent romantic leads and Brendan Matthew & Sarah Dearlove very good as the King & Queen. I loved the interpretation of Cinderella¡¯s sisters ¨C Kate Scott as a somewhat manic Joy and Lydia Jenkins with rather more ¡®attitude¡¯ as Grace. The prince¡¯s Steward Lionel was given a bit of a camp makeover by Josh Carter to good effect. Given the time of year (and this was a matin¨¦e too), this somewhat sophisticated entertainment was played to rather too many young children I¡¯m afraid and the seat kicking, crisp & sweet eating and fidgeting rather wore me down. This is far too good for kids (and in my opinion certainly not suitable for under 7¡äs) and maybe an evening performance would have been better. That said, congratulations to the Tabard for quality alternative seasonal fare....

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