Review: Cinderella at Clwyd Theatr Cymru

Dec 1 2008 by Francesca Elliot, Chester Chronicle

CINDERELLA - THE PANTO WITH SOUL/Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, until January 31

REVIEW/by Francesca Elliott

PANTO season is now well under way, with shouts of ‘he’s behind you’, ringing in theatres up and down the country.

Shouting with the best of them is Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s latest outing, Cinderella, the Panto with Soul, which has been playing to packed audiences since its opening two weeks ago.

The show’s directors pride themselves on the production’s high quality music and narrative, and judging from audience reactions, the pride is well deserved.

As well as singing and dancing, each actor plays a variety of instruments on stage, barely pausing long enough throughout the production to draw breath.

This energy lends the action a sense of movement and pace, stopping viewers from feeling bored, or losing their engagement with the plot.

In true panto style, each character is played gloriously over the top, with poor Cinderella even attempting the occasional moment of rebellion, but as always, loses the classic lines and action to the far more entertaining wicked stepmother and co.

Along with scenes of the wonderful, yapping, lycra-wearing ugly sisters, some of the evening’s strongest performances came from the Fairy Godmother, played by Shirley Darroch.

Her powerful solos and cheerful monologues, provide a welcome contrast to the murderous step-mother Rubella De Zees and the snivelling Baron Hardup.

There’s a bit too much ‘comedy punching’ for my liking, and the pace slows towards the end of the show, however, on the whole, the actors gave strong, energetic performances, and if you’re looking for a panto to see this Christmas, this one would be a good bet.