Cinderella
An orange lampshade-come-pumpkin turns into a foldable coach on a stage the size of a postage stamp? Clearly, nothing is impossible in London’s fringe-land.
A scene from Cinderella at the Tabard Theatre, London
While every town from Aberdeen to Yeovil is panto prepping, a small theatre above a pub in Chiswick presents the 1957 musical theatre version of this fairytale favourite.
Pleasantly absent of any reality TV names, a cast of ten assembles to waltz and gavotte us through some of the sweetest sounds from these composing legends. Athens-raised Vlach Ashton is a perfect Prince Charming with a beautiful baritone and big doe-eyes to melt any girl’s heart. Helen Colby does a good comedy double act switching between Fairy Godmother and Stepmother, while stepsisters Kate Scott and Lydia Jenkins stand out as wonderfully contrasting spoilt brats.
Jenkins particularly almost steals the show with her clown-like physicality, though Josh Carter as Princey’s bosom buddy Lionel also dazzles in style a la Mark from Ugly Betty.
Kirsty Mann plays a simple, honest and real Cinderella - although her singing is too timid and she lacks the required grace and magical quality to really wow and shine. At times unpolished and requiring a few more dance calls, this production deserves a well-attended run in its own little Christmas entertainment corner.
Production information
- By:
- music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstien II, adapted by Tim Briggs from the teleplay by Robert L Freedman
- Management:
- Pulling Focus Ltd for the Tabard Theatre
- Director:
- Alex Young
Production information can change over the run of the show.
Run sheet
- Tabard London
- December 1 2011-January 8
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