Panto Players present Cinderella. Picture by Laura Holme.
STAGE REVIEWThe ugliest sisters, the corniest jokes, the sparkliest fairy godmother and the worst wigs added up to another supremely absurd evening’s entertainment from the Panto Players.
This year’s show, Cinderella, featured many stalwart Panto Players, plus a host of very promising new faces. It was directed by Mike Conway and Dominic Myers.
Among the newcomers were Kyle and Matthew Whillier, brothers aged seven and nine, who made energetic and impossibly cute mice. Tom Walker, ten, made his stage debut as the herald, displaying admirable poise and stage presence.
Another new recruit was John McGregor, returning to the stage after a long break. John almost managed to break a leg during the final performance, tripping and falling awkwardly. Later in the show, he was accidentally hit in the face but he soldiered on bravely.
John played ugly sister Gertrude, with Dominic Myers as the other sister, Griselda. Wearing the gaudiest costumes and delivering the feeblest jokes and lots of bitchy sisterly banter, they pretty much stole the show.
Another shining new star was Alan Springate, as Buttons, who had oodles of charisma, comic timing and musical talent.
Cinderella was the lovely Chloe Redhead, 16, whose mellifluous singing voice has enhanced no fewer than seven Panto Players shows so far.
Eve Armstrong, 11, Alisha Callaghan, 12, and Charlotte Conway made charming and tuneful milkmaids.
Chloe’s real-life grandfather, Robert Redhead, gave an endearingly bumbling performance as her stage father, Baron Hardup, while Cinderella’s stepmother, Baroness Hardup, was played in suitably evil style by Pam Vaughan.
The cast was completed by Sharon Conway (Di Hammond), Eileen Flux (Fairy Godmother), Julie Jeffers (Prince Rupert, Ray Munt (King Caractacus), Beverley Vaughan (Dandini) and Sue Waters (prime minister).
Wardrobe mistress Beverley Vaughan’s colourful costumes were, as always, eye-catching and imaginative.
James Walker, 13, the sound and music technician, also deserves mention for doing an excellent job.
Reporter: suel@iwcpmail.co.uk