REVIEW: Cinderella delights at the Broadway Theatre, Barking
Panto going can be a hit and miss affair, too much
“it’s behind you” can leave us looking for the nearest exit, but none at all
and we can’t help but feel a little cheated.
Arc Theatre’s production of Cinderella offers up an enjoyable blend of engaging audience participation — much to the visible delight of younger audience members — and a bustling script, punctured with sudden bursts of accomplished song and dance.
Add in some clever sleight of hand — if you can see how Cinderella transforms from burnt rags to elegant ball-gown then you belong in the magic circle — and a catchy score and consider your festive spirit well and truly lifted.
Female lead Amy Green carries the grace and modesty of the down-trodden Cinderella with charm and brings an air of world-weary wisdom to her role far in advance of her 18 years of age.
Sharif Afifi is thoroughly entertaining as the lonely
prince charming whose brief encounter with Cinderella leaves him hopelessly,
shoe-sniffingly besotted with her.
The all new musical score is at its best when the two principals duet, Sharif’s voice providing a strong and confident base to Amy’s lighter trills, while the choral backing and choreographed steps of the rag-tag bunch of youths make for energetic and memorable numbers.
Barbara Jaeson frights and delights as Rubella Hardup, the wicked step-mother with devilish allure and an unmistakable penchant for all things bad — as shown by her stand-out solo “I’m so bad”, complete with shimmering red dress.
Buttons and Dandini, as tradition dictates, are played
by the same person and here provide the oil to keep the whole machine dancing
along in consummate actor Dean Kilford, who bounds onto the stage and never
fails to raise a cheer from the audience.
Sally Fisher provides some much needed genuine comedy as Fariy Godmother Marsha, wrapping clever timing in her character’s well-meaning mishaps and last, but certainly not least, Ian Crowe and Andy Gillies stun into silence as ugly sisters Nefaria and Lascivia Clenchbutt.
Sally Fisher provides some much needed genuine comedy as Fariy Godmother Marsha, wrapping clever timing in her character’s well-meaning mishaps and last, but certainly not least, Ian Crowe and Andy Gillies stun into silence as ugly sisters Nefaria and Lascivia Clenchbutt.
Andy barrels about on stage with a look of sheer menace as Lascivia, while Ian is scathingly catty as Nefaria. Both are delightfully dastardly and each in his own right is quite a sight to behold.
So, is Cinderella worth a look? Oh yes it is!
Cinderella runs until January 2 at the Broadway Theatre, Barking. Tickets cost £15 with discounts offered for families. Visit thebroadwaybarking.com for more information
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