The perfect start to any Christmas festivities is of course the Pantomine, and this year was Cinderella at The New Victoria Theatre. Theatre goers shall go to the ball this Christmas as Cinderella transforms from rags to riches, outwits her Wicked Stepsisters and with the help of her hilarious friend and one very magical Fairy Godmother, meets her Prince Charming.
Right from the start, local references were sprinkled into the songs and dialogue to make the audience feel at home (including the Ugly Sisters – named Tess and Claudia – staggering on stage with Primark carrier bags, fresh from the Peacocks Shopping Centre).
As Brian Conley entered the stage the laughs were in full swing. He was loud, confident and had amazing stage presence, and his performance definitely brought a lot to the show. It was clear that despite playing Buttons and not Cinderella, he was the star. And from time to time things went wrong, people lost their places, costumes fell apart and characters couldn’t keep their straight faces.
However, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It somehow made the play more captivating, and felt like we were in on the joke. There’s nothing that makes me smile more than watching people have a great time, and that’s clearly what was happening on stage.
The ugly sisters (Ben Stock and Neal Wright) wore outrageous coordinated outfits and synchronized their speak with the phrase “aren’t we gorgeous” . They were hideously amusing, and the selection of outfits were incredible. The ugly sisters were a big hit with the audience and received a lot of engagement from them. One of my favourite outfits was when they were dressed at chandeliers.
Cinderella (Sarah Vaughan) and The Fairy Godmother (Jenny Gaynor) we’re amazing,
beautiful singing voices and dresses to die for. Their costumes were stunning and swift changes between scenes. At one point when Cinderella is getting ready for the ball it’s like a magic scene, before our eyes she is transformed from rags to riches (I still don’t know how they did it)
I don’t want to give too many spoilers away, but Cinderella ends up marrying her prince, after a stunning transformation that involves dancing pumpkins, and a carriage drawn by pure-white Shetland ponies.
With stunning scenery, a fabulous ensemble giving us some cracking dance routines and a script oozing with laughter and cheesiness, this year’s panto was always going to be a winner. It will have you laughing, crying and clapping til your hands hurt. Make sure it’s a Christmas to remember by experiencing Cinderella at The New Victoria Theatre.
