Wave your sparkling wands along with Jenny Eclair, who loses her panto virginity this year as a quirky Fairy Godmother. Her famous spectacles firmly in place throughout some rock ‘n’ roll choreography, she rhymes beautifully. Be Our Guest, Together Wherever We Go and other musical theatre favourites make up the song collection, interlaced with some gypsy-style pas de deux chorus dancing.
Wisely missing out Cinderella’s usual “This is the loo break moment, quick kids!” ballad, more stage time goes to Ugly Sisters Graham Hoadly and Paul Burnham. The latter manages to prance with balletic grace wearing an entire Christmas tree, while Hoardly hollers wholeheartedly in Major General meets Little Britain’s Vicky style. Gary Wilmot shines as a true pro - relaxed, in great voice, engaging and heartfelt as lovesick Buttons. Light on his feet and full of beans, Ben Redfern is convincing as Dandini, though he solos in an uncomfortably high key. Prince Charming (Elliot Harper) looks and belts as if straight out of the film Enchanted, though his chemistry with Kellie Shirley’s Cinderella fizzles rather than sizzles. Indeed, Shirley’s ballgown sparkles more than Cinderella herself. A decent offering from Richmond this year - though slightly spoilt by KFC-munching, loudly commenting parent audience members, confusing a theatre visit with a television evening on their living room couch. A pity.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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