Pantomime / Cinderella. At The Q, Queanbeyan until January 24. Reviewed by BILL STEPHENS.
Written, directed and musically directed by Leisa Keen, who is also responsible for the spectacular costumes, this delightful production of Cinderella has all the elements of the familiar fairytale, but told in the style of a traditional British Christmas pantomime.
If you’ve never been to a pantomime, then here’s the opportunity to catch up, because Keen has really nailed it, with an effervescent production that is as much fun for the adults as it is for the youngsters at which it is aimed.
Riddled with contemporary references, dad jokes and puns, her clever script is peppered with familiar pop songs for which choreographer, Michelle Heine, has devised snappy dance moves for the adult principals and the 16 young dancers who make up the enthusiastic ensemble.
In addition to playing the Fairy Godmother, Keen has assembled a topline cast of principals who understand the style and deliver it with flair.
The formidable Lainie Hart, obviously taking her cue from The Devil Wears Prada, is possibly the best-dressed Wicked Stepmother on the planet. She revels in the enthusiastic boos she attracts but is so darn likeable it’s impossible not to cheer for her when she finally wins over Buttons.
Joe Dinn and Dave Collins are deliciously unattractive as her ugly daughters. Believe me, they don’t come uglier, or funnier, than these two.
Keeping everyone informed, Dave Pearson offers a stylish performance as Prince Charming’s incredibly resourceful manservant, Buttons, while Lachlan Elderton and Charlotte Hunt charm as the terminally reticent, Prince Charming, and the object of his affection, the somewhat less reticent, Cinderella.
“Just kiss her”, screamed the young audience at one point, obviously frustrated by Prince Charming’s inability to seal the deal, when it became obvious that the glass slipper fitted.
An essential element of the traditional pantomime is the call-and-response audience participation. Keen has provided plenty of opportunities for this in her production, and the young audience was quick to recognise the cues, as were the adults, who happily joined in the cacophony during the mad chase scenes as Cinderella fled the ballroom, and the subsequent hunt for the owner of the glass slipper.
As good as the principal players are, they are given a run for their money by the young ensemble, who sing, dance and act with winning enthusiasm, particularly young Wyatt Woods, newly arrived from America, who threatens to hijack the show with his stand-out performance as a courtier.
It’s all great fun, and a perfect antidote to the doom and gloom of the real world as shown by the excited buzz around the foyer after the performance.
If you’re looking for a special treat to celebrate the end-of-holidays, then this production of Cinderella is highly recommended. But don’t prevaricate because this season is short. The fun ends on Saturday.
Leave a Reply