There is one title that says Christmas Pantomime and that is of course Cinderella. While some producers are tempted to update the story, resetting it in new locations, Jon Monie’s script that played the Theatre Royal Bath last year tells the story in the traditional way with new stepsisters arriving at Hard Up Hall, Buttons in love with Cinders, a chance meeting with the Prince during a fox hunt and then the dramatic ticket tearing scene to stop her going to the Ball. All the key story beats are there and with an experienced cast, the result is a good retelling of the classic story at The Anvil in Basingstoke.
The Fairy Godmother is played by the lovely Debbie McGee, and she easily engages the audience with her delightfully delivered rhyming couplets with a broad smile and a sparkle in her eyes. She even goes back to her ballet and dance roots for a lively dance routine in Act2 in sharp contrast with the little old lady who Cinderella meets in the woods in Act 1! She had a natural charm and infectious giggle which anyone would want from a Fairy Godmother.
In sharp and wonderful contrast are the Ugly Sisters, Harmony (Nic Gibney) and Melody, pronounced My-lady (Duncan Burt), these seasoned performers won Best Ugly Sisters for the same roles in Bath, and they repeat their excellent double act with the same aggressive attitude towards Cinderella that won the award. They bounce off each other with energy and good comic timing and a reprise of some good business from last year of the Love Lottery and the home sauna. When it comes to the iconic ticket-tearing scene, they ignore Nigel Ellacott’s advice to stand still so the focus is on Cinders and instead encircle her with their taunts, but it works dramatically. In charge of everything is Chris Pizzey (who some will know as Basil Brush's sidekick) as big-hearted Buttons and also the director of the show. He works very hard to get the audience up and win over their sympathy for his unrequited love for Cinders. Full of energy and a broad smile he starts with a classic bit of front cloth business, the audio described magic lesson which works very well. He also throws himself into the Wall song, “Close to you” with Cinders and Charming as the two men battle for her attention.
Cinders is played by Rachel Grundy (in a more demure role than her frequent appearances on Rocky Horror tours!). She looks the part, sings well and handles the transformation at end of Act 1 well. Although her final entrance flown in after escaping the wardrobe is less smooth but a pleasant twist to the usual business. Opposite her is Joseph Hewlett as a neighing Prince Charming which for some reason put me in mind of the great Lance Percival and was called upon to deliver “a quick musical reprise with parody lyrics” as a scene filler! He is ably supported by Chris Fearn as Dandini who gets his moment centre stage at the start of Act 2 singing “Ballroom Blitz” to open the Ball. There is good choreography throughout by Sarah Louise Day with an ensemble of 4 girls and 3 boys and an integrated cute cartwheeling junior ensemble and an especially good ballet sequence with the foxes fighting off the hunt.This is a very good retelling of the traditional Cinderella story and a good introduction to young families to the joy of Pantomime with a very experienced cast and excellent Ensemble who deliver with plenty of energy and likeability. It deserved to have a bigger audience than my visit so to all those in Berkshire and Hampshire say, “Yes, you should go to the Ball, and you will enjoy it!”
Review by Nick Wayne
Rating: ★★★★
Seat: Row H | Price of Ticket: £22.50
