Cinderella (Stockport Plaza)

It's pantomime season again and Stockport Plaza have taken on the classic Cinderella for this year's festive fun.
The story is very well known and the rags to riches tale is great for this time of year and provides plenty of opportunity for slapstick, banter and good old fashioned tongue in cheek family entertainment.

With Ted Robbins as Baron Hardup, Crissy Rock as the Step Mother and Gary Damer as Buttons; there is something for all ages and enough quality to ensure the performance is of a high standard. Kieran Jae as Dandini is another touch of class providing some quality vocals.

The jokes are corny, the costumes suitably outlandish and the set is a real delight. At times the sound mix is off kilter with the musicians overpowering the cast and overall, the entire show is somewhat over amplified which can be off-putting for younger children.

The presence of live musicians though is a real treat and lifts the show up to another level. There are some lovely duets between Cinderella and Prince Charming, although these scenes can seem a little drawn out and at times do slow the pace of the show down a little.

Robbins though – is a pair of safe hands as the Baron and engages young and old with ease.His experience as a warm up man helps the show get over the odd bump, including Damer’s Buttons, who is at times too rushed and his diction poor as he delivers his lines and jokes at break neck speed.

The ghost scene in Act 2 does not fit with the rest of the show and is perhaps too frightening for some children. Both the 4 and 6 year old in our party disliked it and were visibly over scared. which is a shame as this is otherwise an accomplished pantomime which generally speaking, ticks all the boxes for a fun Festive night/afternoon out.

There is little lacking from this show and it will certainly get you clapping and cheering and booing and hissing all the way through the season of good will.

Cinderella runs at the Stockport Plaza until 5 January 2014.