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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Cinders with a Brummie flavour Cinderella Sutton Arts Theatre ***** IT WAS a case
of the show must go on
as Sutton Arts Theatre opened the Christmas season officially with their
fantastic pantomime Cinderella. Their Musical director was unfortunately absent
on the opening night and so a new one was found who had only a short
time to work on the many musical numbers and links that this glittering
production contains. This must have added a certain amount of opening
night nerves to the performance but there were only a couple of times
when you could feel something was not quite on time and overall the
team's professionalism shone through. They certainly seemed to have spared no expense
in this production with what must have amounted to hundreds of costume
changes, lighting effects, props and some spectacular staging that
filled the small stage to capacity. This production was written by one time Sutton
Arts player Richard Aucott who this year is appearing professionally in
pantomime and the show definitely benefitted from his experience. Ian Cornock and Gary Pritchard took on the dubious task of playing the Ugly sisters and certainly created an outrageous presence with their assortment of wigs, outfits and a long stream of backbiting humour. TICKING OVER Buttons was played by Richard Ham and he kept the
whole proceedings ticking over and on course especially when the
musician's seemed a little distant or slightly out of time. The lead role of Cinders was played by Michelle
Dawes who handled all of the singing numbers with ease as did Suzy
Donnelley as Prince Charming.
Aimee Hall seemed to relish the opportunity to
add some regional flavour playing the Princes friend Dandini with zest
and adding what sounded like a broad Dudley accent to her character. She
also delivered a nice who's on first base * type scene with the
young page boy Charlie Flockhart who showed a lot of confidence in his
role.
The more experienced players of Alison Daley and
Mark Nattrass as the Fairy Godmother and Baron Hardup respectively,
supported the young cast throughout. There were also a good number of dance routines
executed well by the young ensemble who more than once added some
unintentional humour with a few wrong turns here and there. The production is directed by Dexter Whitehead
and the whole Sutton Arts crew must be commended for their efforts in
the lighting and staging design which brought a real wow factor to the
big reveals. The beauty of seeing panto in a small theatre
like this is that there is no escape. There were young children behind
me laughing hysterically that were saying `it was the funniest thing
they had ever seen ‘ and that's possibly the best recommendation that
can be given for this seasonal fun packed outing. With their regular musical director back at the
helm this show can only get better and so the final words might be from
Dandini from Dudley who would have to say "Yow muss goo tuther ball". To
22-12-12. Jeff Grant |
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