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Precious is a new-style weepie but one that is much more bracing than depressing
Precious
Theatre
Ian McKellen is captivating throughout. He delights in the play’s gallows humour, yet is also maudlin and poignant
Waiting for Godot
Theatre
Slight quibbles notwithstanding, this will set the West End’s stock riding high
Enron
Utterly, utterly brilliant. You really are in for a treat
Though 'Trilogy' has won rave reviews, I personally found myself exasperated after about an hour
We went on a quiet sunday evening and the food was excellent, but the experience let down by the service and ambiance
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.
