Review: CINDERELLA, Lichfield Garrick
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
Panto season is well and truly underway and this year, Lichfield Garrick (with Evolution Productions) present the classic rags to riches tale, Cinderella. This pantomime gives us everything we might expect: great jokes, an eclectic mix of songs, a magical transformation scene and all the traditional gags.
Paul Hendy’s script has plenty of jokes and topical references that land well with the adults, as well as a sprinkling of pop culture references that the kids in the audience devour. Early on, Hendy is incredibly heavy handed at making sure we know Cinderella is a woman with modern sensibilities rather than living to expectations in a patriarchal world – a little more subtlety here wouldn’t have gone amiss. At times, the script gets a little messy – Cinderella is collecting wood for a very long time in Act 1! – but in general, moves at a great pace keeping all ages engaged throughout.
Lichfield Garrick’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Daniel Buckroyd directs the production. He ensures the characters’ relationships are at the heart of the pantomime. The jokes and gags never feel like they divert from the plot too much. Kayleigh Dettmer’s choreography is energetic, giving the audience enough moments to join in, particularly during the Ball.
Helga Wood and Michelle Marden’s set design is colourful and in keeping with the traditional pantomime style, with the Act 1 finale being especially beautiful and magical, delighting the whole audience. Amy Chamberlain’s costumes are lovely, with the Sisters having wonderfully outlandish and outrageous attire.
The Sisters, Aldianna and Lidleena, are played here by regular dame Sam Rabone and regular Evolution sister Matt Daines. On the whole, the two work well together but never quite manage to be a villainous duo – much of the villainy is left to Daines to do and the audience struggles to boo the duo as they know and love Rabone as their regular dame.
Ben Thornton is also a returning favourite for Lichfield audiences, this year taking on the iconic role of Buttons. He has a brilliant rapport with the audience from the off. He really captures the pathos of the character as well, and we definitely feel sad when he doesn’t get the girl (even though we know what the story is!). Thornton also gets to demonstrate his lovely singing voice with a gorgeous rendition of The Carpenters’ ‘Close To You’.
Also returning to Lichfield are Clarice Julianda as Fairy Twinklethistle and Joe Feeney as Dandini. Julianda quickly builds a great rapport with the audience, helped by the side plot she is given in this version of Cinderella – she needs our help to earn her real Fairy Godmother wand. Feeney is an utter joy to watch every time he is on stage. He has a great stage presence and a huge amount of energy, clearly working hard to ensure his characterisation is entirely different from what his villain would have been in last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
Our leading couple, Cinderella and Prince Charming, are played by Shannon Bourne and Adam Craig respectively. Both give lovely performances and we really believe their relationship. They both deliver strong vocal performances, blending exceptionally well together in duets.
Cinderella at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre is bound to put a smile on your face. Whilst it may not be doing anything particularly unique, it is a solid pantomime with a talented cast and something to enjoy for all ages.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush
Cinderella plays at Lichfield Garrick until 11 January, with further info here.