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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Fiona Mountford's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Melly Still.
Cast: Grainne Byrne, Elizabeth Chan, Katharine Manners
Description: Ben Power and Melly Still's contemporary pantomime which returns to the original story by the Brothers Grimm, where Cinderella must rely on her friends in the forest to help her go to the ball. Starring Grainne Byrne, Elizabeth Chan and Katharine Manners.
Trains: Tube: Hammersmith 
Phone: 0871221 1722
Website: www.lyric.co.uk
Email: enquiries@lyric.co.uk
Ingenious: Cinderella (Elizabeth Chan, centre) with Kelly Williams and Katherine Manners
It’s so rare, at this time of the theatrical year, to come across a show with real emotions, rather than the customary Christmas confection that is the dramatic equivalent of E‑numbers.
Yet Ben Power and Melly Still have come up with a haunting, rich, romantic retelling of the fairytale that made me cry real tears, rather than the sobs of frustration more common in this season.
There’s no time for panto shenanigans or men in bad drag here. Instead Power and Still, who also directs, give us credible people in a believable situation in extraordinary surroundings.
The setting is the wintry “far, far north”, a place of frosted landscapes and twisted branches, where Norwegian ice musician Terje Isungset plays intriguing instruments and the Queen holds a Snow Festival Ball (to which we’re all invited in the interval) to find a bride for her son.
There are all sorts of sophisticated storytelling techniques.Cinderella even rewinds the narrative at one point. More important are the superbly honest performances from the six‑strong cast.
Daniel Weyman is a charming playboy prince, working his lazy way through all the eligible girls in the realm. Elizabeth Chan’s sweet, delicate, stubborn Cinders convinces instantly that she would have the ingenuity to get herself to the ball, rather than rely on a Disneyfied fairy godmother. Two beautiful, highly recommended hours.
Until 3 January (0871 22 117 22, www.lyric.co.uk).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
