Roger Hall’s CINDERELLA – the pantomime
Civic Theatre, cnr of Queen Street & Wellesley Street West, Auckland
12/01/2011 - 22/01/2011
Production Details
By Roger Hall
Magic, mischief and mayhem will abound when this Roger Hall classic takes to The Civic stage this summer. In this Pantomime filled with local humour, outrageous wigs, fantastic makeup and costumes, Cinderella will tackle evil, and try to keep order as she chases her love interest across the pantomime stage.
Cinderella the Pantomime is a non-stop family favourite – a traditional pantomime fairytale, complete with villains, fairys, plenty of opportunity for a good shout of “it’s behind you”, and of course…a happy ending.
Whether it’s a treat for the whole family, a Christmas present with a difference or just a night out for adults who want a good laugh, Cinderella the Pantomime is the perfect holiday entertainment for everyone from 5 to 105!
Civic Theatre, The Edge
12-22 January 2011
2pm and 6.30, Wed – Sat; 4pm Sunday
BOOK NOW: 0800 BUY TICKETS or
www.showbiz.co.nz or The Edge
Fairy Godmother - Alison Quigan
Cinderella - Rebecca Wright
Ugly Sisters - Paul Barrett & Ian Fenwick
Prince Charming - Cameron Clayton
Dan Dini - Stacey Musham
Baron Hardup - Geoffrey Hughes
Fimble - Joseph Quinn
Fumble - Clayton Curnow
Director - Adey Ramsel
Choreographer - Val Hemphill
Musical Director - Robyn Kennerley
Stage Manager - Tim Carroll
Set Concept - Adey Ramsel
Set Design - Mark Saunders, Tim Carroll, Bruce Stewart
Set Artist - Mark Saunders
Lighting Design - Nik Januirek
Sound Design - John Michie
Wardrobe Design - Yvonne Dinnage
Props Design - Paula Jepson
Theatre , Family , Children’s , Pantomime , Music ,
More wacky action needed amid good quips for adults
Review by Kate Ward-Smythe 16th Jan 2011
There’s plenty of colour, originality and topical jokes in Roger Hall’s Cinderella – The Pantomime – hats off to Amici Productions and Caught Jesters Theatre Company for making it happen. It must be nerve-wracking to take the risk on Britain’s mid-winter Yuletide custom of Pantomime, in the middle of our warm sunny NZ Christmas holidays. However, the stalls of the Civic were nearly full (mostly with grand parents and kids) on a perfect sunny day.
While light on special effects, grand sets or a full band, there is much to compliment within this affordable family show.
Director Adey Ramsel struck gold when he cast the incorrigible Paul Barrett and irrepressible Ian Fenwick as the ugly sisters, Angelina and Britney. Rude, clumsy and tactless, they are a garish yet dynamic duo – a delight for young and old.
Throwing themselves into the Panto-genre with equally gay abandon, are attendants, Fimble (Joseph Quinn) and Fumble (Clayton Curnow). Another energized, engaging performer, hungry to maximize their every second in the limelight, is Stacey Masham, in the role of Dan Dini.
Rebecca Wright and Cameron Clayton are suitably lovely as Cinderella and Prince Charming, both delivering fine vocal solos within their solid performances.
In the dual role of Baron Hardup and King Leonard, Geoffrey Hughes does well. As does Alison Quigan, playing the Fairy Godmother and Queen Penny. While her Godmother is surprisingly formal (“The Fairy Godmother talks like a teacher, Mum. She’s quite strict” said my 7 year old), her Penny, endowed with superior vowels, is delicious.
Choreographer Val Hemphill does all she can with the relative small company of 15, including a vibrant ensemble of 6 young support actors/actresses.
Musically, composer Michael Nicholas Williams has scored a couple of toe-tapping Panto-tunes, including a lively opening and the perky Ball Dance. However, the first half drags on, with the inclusion of one too many melancholy solos.
In terms of content and structure, while it’s admirable to hear so many current quips and jabs (Chris Carter’s credit card and Kim Hill’s interviewing technique were two of many good ones), the relentless topical references are in danger of serving the adults over the kids, too often. (“I haven’t laughed at any of the talking jokes yet”, said the 7 year old at interval).
Given the kids’ enthusiastic reaction to the adorable mice antics and the arrival of the carriage with naughty horses, perhaps all is needed is less talk and more wacky action.
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