Cinderella is set to twinkle on the Greenwich Theatre stage this month, but don’t expect a story of a damsel in distress who’s saved by a prince.
Instead, this Cinderella wears sequinned Dr Martens and she’s not taking any prisoners. It’s more Brothers Grimm than Disney, and it’s more forest than palace too.
I spoke to the show’s director James Haddrell, its composer and musical director David Haller, and breakthrough performer Addy Caulder-James to find out why this refreshing and inspiring rewrite is the version of the fairytale we all need…
Holly O’Mahony (HOM): Firstly, James, can you tell us a bit about the adaptation of Cinderella you’re working with? It sounds like it’s got a real nature focus to it, what with its forest setting and the addition of birdwatchers.
Director James Haddrell: This version of Cinderella goes back to the Brothers Grimm version, which differs from the Disney classic that was based on Charles Perrault’s version.
The Grimm version gives us a much stronger heroine in Ella: where Perrault’s take on the character saw her accepting injustice without complaint, this Ella fights back.
The birds in our show also come from the Grimm version, which gives Ella a powerful connection to nature.
We do have one major departure: instead of two step-sisters, we have one step-sister with a step-brother, who maybe isn’t quite as mean as his sister.
All in all though, this is a fun, summery, family treat with a strong dose of music and magic at its heart.
HOM: David, you’re the composer and musical director of the production. How did you go about scoring it? What are some of the key moods, if you like, that you wanted your music to carry?
Musical Director David Haller: I started out as I always do, by reading the script and putting together a sort of ‘musical mood board’.
I like to make a playlist of music that I feel suits the vibe the script is giving me.
I’ll then listen to that playlist on shuffle to get my brain into the right vibe before I sit down to write.
I found this particular script to be very joyful, but also rooted in the earthy, gritty themes of the original folk tale, so the music I’ve ended up scoring taps into those themes.
Make no mistake though, the joy is not lost!
HOM: Has your music been newly written for this particular production, or has it accompanied the show somewhere else before?
Musical Director David Haller: I’ve had the pleasure of writing an entirely new score for our production!
The script came with lyrics to the songs already written, but I’ve been setting those lyrics to new music, as well as adding in some additional lyrics of my own.
It’s also wonderful to be writing for a cast of talented actor-musicians, who have been working hard to bring my score to life.
Addy Caulder-James makes her professional debut in the production
HOM: Addy, you’re making your professional debut with the show. Where were you studying beforehand and how are you feeling about it?
Performer Addy Caulder-James: I’m so excited. I’m currently studying at Rose Bruford college (I have one year left after this show) and I was lucky enough to be awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship.
I’m feeling grateful, excited and a little bit nervous for my professional debut but I can’t wait to share our version of Cinderella!
HOM: James, is running Cinderella in August a continuation of Greenwich Theatre’s post-pandemic move to stage the sorts of family shows more typically seen at Christmas in the summer? If so, what have you discovered about the appetite for these sorts of shows at this time?
Director James Haddrell: Yes absolutely. This follows Treasure Island last year, Pinocchio and The Wolves of Willoughby Chase the year before, and The Jungle Book before the pandemic.
We’ve seen audiences increasing with each show so it seems that our aim of recreating the family tradition that people follow at Christmas is beginning to take hold.
HOM: What would you say is the enduring appeal of the Cinderella story? What makes it timeless?
Performer Addy Caulder-James: Everyone knows the rags to riches story of Cinderella.
We’ve grown up with the beautiful fairy tale and seen many versions.
Our production features a strong heroine that girls can identify with, while everyone will enjoy the show’s timeless themes: change and loss, dreams of the future and, of course, a sprinkle of magic!
Musical Director David Haller: I think like all of the Grimm tales, its themes and morals are still, and will always be, relevant to us all.
It’s a story about hardship and struggle, but it’s also about the way that love and courage will always triumph.
Director James Haddrell: I think the interesting thing about Cinderella is that it has multiple happy endings so multiple audiences can feel a connection to the story.
It’s a romance, with Cinderella finding someone to spend her life with, but it’s also about defeating your nemesis, about finding strength in adversity, about triumphing over inequality and about a sense of justice.
HOM: I know we shouldn’t press for spoilers, but with regards to the story’s magic, does a pumpkin carriage or a glass slipper make an appearance along the way?
Director James Haddrell: Well… no, we don’t have any of those things.
Without giving too much away, our Cinderella wears sequinned Dr Martens to the ball and the fairy godmother from the Disney version is replaced with a host of magical birds who help Ella get to there.
We have devised a completely original set which is made entirely out of lights, so there will be plenty of magic there…
Cinderella is showing at Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES.
August 18 – September 3, performance times vary depending on date.
Admission: £12.50+.
