A Meaningful South London Cinderella
Leaving just enough of a trace of the original story as we know it, to keep the production comfortably within the realm of fairytales, Danusia Samal uses her artistic licence to carve something much more meaningful out of her modern reimagining of Cinderella, writes Caitlin Odell.
Complete with difficult family dynamics, ringlight-wielding social media sensations and the looming threat of gentrification, this South London Cinderella encourages us to think beyond our own four walls.
Struggling to keep her late father’s beloved Brixton Lane fruit and veg shop afloat, Sindi-Ella plans a party at the store to incentivise locals to try her homegrown produce. But disinterest and lack of support from her stepmother and stepsister sparks tensions, opening up the narrative to give a more democratic look at the complex dynamics of a grief-stricken blended family.
Straying away from the archetypal stock characters inherent to fairytales, Sindi-Ella’s two remaining relatives are funny and likeable. Whilst sympathising with this lonely, grieving teenager, we’re urged to consider the sacrifices made by her stepmother and stepsister, from uprooting their lives in West London, to being left unexpectedly with sole responsibility of someone else’s unhappy child.
Even Charmz, well-meaning but misguided social media prodigy-come-property developer is shown compassion. I am still trying to work out whether the intent behind this teen property tycoon was that I suspend my disbelief, or Samal was in fact trying to bring an older audience up to speed on the current trajectory of a hyper-aspirational Gen Z in a world of influencer marketing.
Either way, accepting Charmz as a symbol of the very real threats faced by the local businesses of today, we’re encouraged to consider an alternative, more optimistic outcome. If the power of social media can be harnessed in the right way, by the right self-starting hands, it can be a valuable tool in helping small businesses stay established.
Aside from one or two mild instances of slapstick violence and audience participation, Cinderella is decidedly sparse in its use of typical panto devices. So it can only be seen as a testament to the magnetic cast, that the audience began enthusiastically offering their unsolicited advice as Charmz searched the streets of Brixton for Sindi-Ella.
From the recurring tensions caused by the uncertain fate of Ella’s Fruit and Veg to the comedy of Sindi-Ella flogging her stepmum’s designer clothes on the market, the essence of Brixton is woven throughout this heartwarming tale, giving it a feel of real authenticity.
Most notably, Cinderella touches on important issues such as gentrification and the alarming advancement of modern technology, whilst still offering the wonderful escapism we crave from a Christmas pantomime. But it is much more than that, it’s a love letter to Brixton, and a celebration of the familial love felt by the community, for the community.
Brixton House until December 31st. Times: Varied – See website for details. Admission: £15 – £44.
Booking: www.brixtonhouse.co.uk
Age: 7+
