The Stage

Sinderfella

Published Tuesday 8 December 2009 at 10:15 by Scott Matthewman

One of the keys to a raucously successful pantomime is a portrayal of barely controlled anarchy, which in turn needs a firm grasp on the reins. Unfortunately, adult panto Sinderfella has none of this and as a result, frequently disappears up its own self-indulgent posterior.

In many ways, this is frustrating - not least because the accomplished vocal numbers by principals Adam Strong and Bette Rinse impress throughout, despite numerous production problems. This includes the availability of only one microphone, meaning that several of their duets acquire an additional level of unintended comedy.

Matters aren’t helped by casting former Big Brother housemate Kathreya Kasisopa as the Fairy Godmother. Putting the frequent scenes of exposition in the hands of someone whose persona is based on being unintelligible is hardly wise, although none could fault the enthusiasm with which she throws herself into the role.

There is so much treading over one another’s lines, forgetting lines altogether and failing to cope with audience heckles that the impression one is left with is of an under-rehearsed show that may be good in time if the cast and production team put the effort in. As it stands, like the Prince (renamed in reference to his suspiciously large endowment), Sinderfella eschews anything charming for cheap laughs that don’t work.