Cinderella
The first in-house Guild Hall Productions pantomime treads the new “tradition” of TV and radio names, contemporary songs and obligatory ghost scene, but also feels fresh and fast moving under the eagle eye of writer, director and star Ted Robbins, who plays Baron Hardup.
Together with producer Chris Haylett, general manager of Preston’s Guild Hall complex, they have a real discovery in Jodie Hamblet - a pretty, blonde Cinders who could have sung her way into Prince Charming’s heart without the need of a glass slipper.
Fairy godmother Sally Naden vies for young attention alongside children’s favourite Fifi (voiced by Jane Horrocks and played by Rebecca Donner).
Torchwood’s Gareth David-Lloyd is a nice but dim Prince, leaving Matthew Ganley’s streetwise Dandini wondering why he doesn’t get the girl in the end. Betty Legs Diamond (aka Simon Green) plays an extremely glam ugly sister Prada, whereas diminutive cohort Keith De’Winter as Primark is decidedly less fair of face.
Gareth Kirkbright isn’t the most convincing of Buttons, but Guild Hall talent show winner Anthony Clegg fits in well as the Royal Page and Katy Reynolds provides the lively choreography.
Throw in a live three-piece band and a pair of real Shetland ponies, and it looks like a winning formula.
Production information
- By:
- Ted Robbins, who also directs and performs
- Management:
- Charter Theatre, Preston
- Cast:
- Gareth David-Lloyd, Betty Legs Diamond, Sally Naden, Jodie Hamblet, Chris Haylett
- Choreography:
- Katy Reynolds
Production information can change over the run of the show.
Run sheet
- Charter Preston
- December 8 2009-January 3 2010
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