All the laughs and sparkles one could hope for
It’s that time of year again: Panto season! The busiest period for theatres up and down the country, as soap stars, reality TV personalities and… Jeremy Corbyn (?) prepare to take to the stages of regional theatres and entertain crowds of screaming kids, parents and grandparents, writes Melina Block.
Cinderella is the pantomime of choice this year at Richmond Theatre, with a delightfully eclectic cast ranging from Helen George of BBC’s Call The Midwife fame as the glitzy fairy godmother, to household name Basil Brush as Baron Basil, ruler of the land.
The other usual suspects are all present, including the endearing, goofy Buttons, in a performance from Charlie Stemp that perfectly balances the line between awkward sidekick and bubbly comic relief. The wicked stepsisters, portrayed brilliantly by Stephen Guarino and Jak Allen-Anderson, are another classic panto highlight, strutting around and bouncing off each other’s comedic timing effortlessly. Hope Dawe’s Cinderella is as butter-wouldn’t-melt sweet as one would hope, truly embodying the Disney princess archetype. Tom Major is equally dashing as Prince Charming, while his companion, Michael Lin’s Dandini, rounds out the main cast with another confident performance.
The ensemble performers, although not necessarily the stars of the show, do deserve a special mention. Their boundlessly energetic dancing is the backbone of the production, each of them seeming to actually beam with joy.
It’s easy to dismiss panto, but it would take a real Scrooge to not be at least a bit moved by the infectious joy of the ensemble cast.
Another key element when concocting the magic of pantomime is the costumes. Courtesy of costume designer Teresa Nalton, every scene in Cinderella is amplified by sequins, glitter and petticoats. The fairy Godmother’s gorgeous, shimmering gowns are particularly breathtaking, as are the outrageously over the top costumes worn by the wicked stepsisters.
Overall, Cinderella packs all the laughs and sparkles one could hope for from a pantomime, promising a reliably fun night out.
Richmond Theatre until 4th January.
Booking and full details: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/cinderella-pantomime/richmond-theatre/
