Cinderella

Published Monday 21 December 2009 at 15:20 by Barbara Champion

Julian Clary admits he cannot sing, admits he can perform only a limited foxtrot and is ever himself, yet it is still more than enough.

Julian Clary as Dandini in Cinderella at the Hawth Theatre, Crawley

He arrives onstage in a Roman chariot pulled by two slaves. A later entrance is by huge glass slipper. His eight costumes are exquisitely dazzling and his wickedly observed humour and rude mutterings and asides are hilarious.

Joe Tracini is an enthusiastic Buttons who is a big hit with audience participation. Stephen Carlisle as Hernia and Steven Kynman as Verruca play the Ugly Sisters who enter on mobility scooters and make an instant impact with their backchat and horrendous outfits _ one frock is a can of Fosters, another a barbecue.

Danny Bayne as Prince Charming and Vicky Longley as Cinderella make a handsome singing couple. Rosemary Ashe as the happy Fairy Godmother appears often. Philip Herbert as Baron and Ian Gledhill as Lord Chamberlain link the pace. All the costumes are exceptionally grand and colourful. The red feather fan dance with four dancers, Clary and Bayne is memorably clever. There are mixed fluffy animals, two white Shetland ponies, the dancing children from Roche School with Ben Tribe’s lively choreography and Griff Johnson’s groovy trio. It is a marvellous show.