Cinderella

Published Thursday 13 December 2007 at 11:45 by Hugh Homan

It was Uncle Steve’s birthday when I saw the Cambridge Arts Theatre Cinderella, but I’m sure he (Steve Parry, musical director) plays as enthusiastically at every performance - a terrific, jazzy, snappy score to accompany Brad Fitt’s witty and enjoyable romp.

Helen Lederer is the most amusing Fairy Godmother I’ve seen this season - great gags, whimsically delivered. Julie Buckfield is a sincere and affecting Cinders and Matt Crosby works hard as Buttons, an engaging sidekick. Their duet is a great moment in the show. Brad Fitt and Scott Ritchie as Dolce and Gabbana are a delight - the former (slightly) quieter and more droll, the latter taller, louder and more camp. A waggish pair! Ellie Cobb and Polli Redston slap no mean thighs as Dandini and Prince Charming. One rarely sees this aspect of panto tradition exercised these days. Although, what the kids made of it I had no time to discover, alas.

The transformation scene is magically done - a great white flying horse gradually revealed - the set is impressive throughout. The final walkdown in blue and white against the palace’s red curtains provides a memorable conclusion to a very entertaining and commendably child-centred production.