Tonight:
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Fiona Mountford's rating
, Cinders is only one not having a ball
By
Fiona Mountford
12 Dec 2008
It hasn't got Sir Ian McKellen starring in it, or Stephen Fry writing it, but Cinderella is as posh as panto is going to get this belt-tightening Christmas. On a set so sparkly you don’t know whether to reach for sunglasses or worry about epilepsy, Gareth Gates, Alistair McGowan, American ventriloquist Ronn Lucas and Joanna “Gavin and Stacey” Page jockey for position, while perfunctorily ticking off the time-honoured plot points.
Without a new wife to hector him —she’s dead, perhaps because the wage bill couldn’t stretch any further — it’s hard to understand why the Baron (McGowan) lets his step-daughters the Ugly Sisters run riot over Hardup Hall.
Yet there’s no time to dwell on narrative logic as everyone has a turn to do. My goodness, do they turn, and turn again, more than in an entire run of Dick Whittington. There’s no need for Gates’s Prince Charming to launch into that jolly ode to death Spirit In The Sky once he’s proposed to Cinders (Page), but he does. So, by the all-glitter finale, do we, benignly beaten into submission by the nearly all-out charm offensive.
But here’s the rub. Despite being the title character, Page struggles to get a word in edgeways between all the blokes from the telly showing off in Peter Denyer’s excessively lengthy production. Gates is forever belting out big numbers, McGowan impersonates everyone we’ve ever heard of and the impressive Lucas suggests he’s a one-man show who has, for some unfathomable reason, become tenuously connected to a team effort. The best the appealing Page manages is the occasional “lush!” There’s something disquieting in the gender stakes when the girls having most fun are actually boys — Graham Hoadly and Andrew Ryan as the riotous Ugly Sisters.
Perhaps this lady doth protest too much. McGowan spices up Susie McKenna’s unsurprising script with some cherishable touches, not least when he arrives singing I Am An Englishman, only to learn that Page is “doing it Welsh”. Off he trots, to return with the flag of the Principality and a marvellously altered accent that endures for the rest of the evening. You’ll go to the ball – and you might just have one too.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (10)
What a fantastic panto, been to see it 4 times and hoping to go again before the end. the whole cast was fantastic and there is something for everyone in it. Joanna Page was a beautiful Cinderella and her singing was absolutely lovely, and the transformation scene at the end of the first part was pure magic. Gareth was the perfect Prince Charming and he had a fabulous double act going with Dandini. The ugly sisters were funny and nasty and gave us plenty to boo about. One of the best pantos I have ever seen, well done every one.
- Susan Foster, London England, 03/01/2009 17:33
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I have been to see Cinderella 6 times and loved every minute of the show,All the cast are fantastic,it is very funny,everyone is really great,Joanna Page is such a beautiful Cinderella,and you couldn't have a more handsome Prince Charming than Gareth Gates,he sings four most beautiful songs,his speach was word perfect,his cute smile and acting and dancing are a pleasure to watch.I had booked to see the show 12 times but as I loved it so much, my lovely family have booked for me to go again so in all I am going 16 times now,so you see it is a Panto you should not miss,I know you will love all the cast and certainly fall in love with charming Gareth Gates.
- Vera Plows, Mitcham,surrey, 18/12/2008 13:31
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i think the panto is brilliant i loved it so much gareth gates was the most handsome prince charmming ever and his signing was beautiful too his acting was good too loved expressions on his face at times.thought the ugly sisters was brill they was so funny and there costumes were so outragously funny hehe.joanna was a lovely cinderella she suited the part very well.alister mc gowen was brill as baron hard up with his impressions.i absoultly loved buttons with his puppets scorch and billy he was amazing.the show is brilliant and you sit ther shaking through it as its so good.anyone going will have a brilliant time a special time to remember.
- Sarahjane, birmingham, 16/12/2008 13:04
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This show is amazing, and i have already been tree times! The whole cast is good, but especially Gareth Gates. You couldn't find a better Prince Charming, his acting, singing, and dancing were superb. This is especially remarkable when you know he has a stammer, but he was word perfect!
- Carol Creasey, Herne Bay, England, 15/12/2008 21:00
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I went to see this show last night I thought it was amazing. The whole cast were brilliant. Gareth Gates was phenomenal, he sang four beautiful songs and his speech was perfect. Any one going to see this show is in for a real treat
- Gill Brecknell, worcs, 15/12/2008 18:50
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I went to see this Pantomime on the first night and was so impressed by it, especially Gareth Gates that I promptly booked to go again and again.
His singing and acting and Dancing are enthralling and what a lovely fairytale couple him and Cinderella make.
In fact the whole cast were fantastic and those ugly sisters the funniest and ugliest I have ever seen. If you are going to this Panto you are in for a treat. Alistair McGowan as Baron Hardup is brilliant and Ronn Lucas the Buttons ventrilloquist is very clever. I go to a Panto every year but can honestly say that I have never been to one as good as this, must be the best this year. Made all the better by the handsome Gareth Gates and his beautiful singing.
- Elaine Rollins, Cheshunt Hertfordshire, 15/12/2008 00:42
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I have read some brill reviews of this panto being the best around this yr,so much so,it enticed me to book a seat which i am really looking forward in Jan.
So i am puzzled by some comments made by the writer.By all accounts it is a very funny and entertaining show.I love Alistair McGowan and Joanna Page (Bafta award winners) all pantomimes have big numbers that's why singers are usually cast in the lead role its part of the draw. But what a great choice of song and a brill end to a show plus everyone knows the words so guaranteed audience participation and an elated exit by all.
- Moonglow, Tyne & Wear, 14/12/2008 23:21
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I went to see Cinderella in London and the show was amazing all the cast were brilliant,it was funny,happy the costumes were great and Gareth Gates was fantastic in every aspect of his performance a show well worth seeing.
- H Langston, Redditch, 14/12/2008 22:17
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Went to see Cinderella on friday night,what a fantastic evening it was,the cast was great,but the one person that stood out for me was Gareth Gates he made a brilliant Prince Charming and his speech was perfect.I would recomend this show to anyone its the best panto i have ever been to.
- Sylvia, Birmingham, 14/12/2008 21:43
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I went to see this on 8 December -- which was only the third or fourth performance. Excellent! The two ugly sisters alone are worth the price of admission.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 12/12/2008 09:43
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