Cinderella
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Until Sunday, January 7
01483 440000
A PANTO star received his 6,000th custard pie in the face earlier this month – and it was just as funny as the first one.
James Merry is Buttons in Yvonne Arnaud’s festive production of Cinderella, and an integral part of the plot involves him receiving five custard pies. Twelve times. Which makes 60 per show. What a sport.
It is part of the merriment and sparkle that makes up this winter wonderland, which fuses songs, dance, laughter and a quest for romance in a neat package that will delight all ages this Christmas.
The show opens with a stunning song from Claudia Kariuki’s Fairy Godmother. The West End star has an incredible voice and lights up the stage every time they are on it. This is their panto debut, but you’d never know, such is the strength of their performance.
Also making a stand-out appearance is former EastEnder Lucy Benjamin who is thoroughly enjoying being the baddie Baroness Hard-Up. Her wicked stepmother routine brings the house down, while her singing – including a solo Material Girl – is superb.
Clair Greave is Cinderella and Stanton Wright is Prince Harold, the two love interests. Newcomers to the genre, they manage to make their love story convincing, particularly when the slipper is found to fit. Both have beautiful voices and bright dance routines that showcase their talents.
It was refreshing to see Cinderella in dungarees rather than a tatty dress, and her transformation into the belle of the ball is so deftly done that it feels like magic.
Completing the main cast are the Ugly Sisters, resident dame Peter Gordon and Thelma and Matt Pinches as Louise. Their double act grows in stature as the show goes on, and a routine in act two involving some deft wordplay and frustrated mime rightly brings the house down.
Matt, particularly, has an expressive face that ensures the hamming up is perfectly done, while Peter is resident dame and has a clear rapport with those who come every year.
The ensemble add to every scene. More than just dancers, they help flesh out the panto world to ensure it feels fully formed. And they are a delight to watch.
This is a fast-paced panto, sometimes too fast. Jokes aren’t always given enough time for the audience to appreciate, more time is needed for applause after some of the musical numbers, and some of the set pieces, particularly The 12 Days of Christmas, feel rushed through – these moments need to be savoured.
That is a niggle. Cinderella is a polished production that had the audience on their feet dancing and bopping away, cheering and booing in all the right places.
When the final curtain call comes, and the streamers are flying, everyone wants the party to keep on.
Next year, the team will tackle Robin Hood.
PHIL CREIGHTON
