Cinderella
James Rushbrooke
Directed by Rory Hobson
Judi Dench Playhouse, Questors Theatre
Star rating: 3
James Rushbrooke sets Cinderella firmly in the 1980s: a song title or song line in almost every sentence. And he works in a completely original sub plot and plot twist. Usually in pantomime you know exactly what will happen. In this one you have no idea. So there’s plenty of freshness and novelty here.
It’s a colourful show (set by Juliette Demoulin and costumes by Carla Marker) which kicks off with a rap number – which seems to be this year’s panto trend. And director Rory Hobson makes imaginative use of the aisles and annular playing space created by placing a small block of seating where the thrust stage might normally be.
Bernie (Derek Stoddart – louche, 80s vibe), assisted by his daughter Cindy (Julice Liecier) is an impoverished launderette owner. They are terrified of the landlady, Gloria von Glitz (Samantha Boffin) and her two appalling daughters (Rory Hobson and James Rushbrooke). Then a personable chap, on a quest of his own – his little sister has disappeared – falls out of the largest washing machine. Of course Cindy fancies this man she calls Buttons (Adam Watt) but her father needs her to marry money. Meanwhile there’s a narrating fairy (Sally Parker) floating about ubiquitously, narrating in calculatedly excruciating couplets and trying to improve everyone’s lot. And so it winds on …
This is a “community” company so of course some actors are stronger than others. All the principals, however, give pleasing performances and Samantha Boffin, glamorous but not grotesque in animal prints, is outstanding. She lights up the stage whenever she appears. Hobson and Rushbrooke play pleasingly off each other and Tom Wolley has fun with a Prince who is a great deal less charming than he is in Charles Perrault’s famous story. Meanwhile there’s a large, hard working, well drilled juvenile ensemble (alternating teams) ably supporting the action. At the performance I saw Enid Hall was good as Buttons’s missing sister.
There are many clever jokes in this show and puns I’ve never heard before. “Shall we hire a choir? They’re always good investments.” Or “I’m a fictional character so my mind is completely made up”. Unfortunately most such lines were so badly timed that they failed to land – possibly partly because the cast were trying to negotiate a relaxed performance.
The first half is well paced but the second half is too long and drawn out, especially for a “relaxed” audience. Generally, though, this Cinderella is a pretty enjoyable, and potentially very funny, show.
