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Laughs for everyone in Cinderella |
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| Brian
Conley - a fab Buttons! |
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Cinderella
at Plymouth's Theatre Royal cleverly mixes old-time panto with new-fangled
technology...and with the gags coming thick and fast, it was a real
hit with all ages!
Review: Laura Joint. |
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Cinderella...a
silly cow! She's never been so insulted in all her life!
Buttons, usually so nice and polite, hurls the insult to a stunned
Cinders when she rejects him in favour of the Prince, in a scene which
sums up this production of Cinderella at the Plymouth Theatre Royal.
Brian Conley as Buttons is great fun and he's ably supported by a
strong cast, who often disintegrate into fits of laughter during some
of the daft bits of the panto.
And there are loads of them. There are laughs right from the off,
with the Fairy Godmother (Rachel Spry, from Totnes) flying across
the stage and Buttons falling off the stage.
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| The
Ugly Sisters - Britney and Whitney (Peter Robbins and Nigel
Ellacott) and Cinders (Lynsey Britton) |
Slapstick
plays a big part in this panto and the comedy manages to appeal to
both youngsters and grown-ups - "He looks like Brad Pitt."
"No, he's more like his brother, Cess."
Then there's: "Why is the Queen's face on stamps? Because if
it was her bum, no-one would lick it."
The
cast also display their local knowledge and one of the ugly sisters
quips: "It's an Exeter City bra - very little support and no
cups." That gag got one of the biggest laughs of the night.
Some of the best lines are delivered by the Ugly Sisters - Britney
and Whitney, played by Peter Robbins and Nigel Ellacott - who also
get to wear the best costumes.
Of course, there are the usual rude noises and lots of songs - with
the emphasis on Saturday Night Fever style disco.
It's very clever in parts - the scene where Buttons is disguised as
a tree is sheer comic genius.
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| Rachel
Spry as the Fairy Godmother |
And the
use of modern technology is also innovative, such as the laser lights
and Buttons being brought to Cinders in time for the Ball by a robot
(a special mention must be made for the stage sets, which are fantastic).
A lovely addition to this panto is the use of puppets...the kids loved
them and so did the mums and dads.
And then there are the "ooh" moments - Cinders in her fabulously
over-the-top carriage, and the Ball itself.
Lynsey Britton plays Cinders perfectly (she, too gets a fit of the
giggles during the tree scene), and Dawson Chance plays Baron Hardup
as a total ninny, which of course he is.
The Pince (Sean Needham) and his assistant Dandini (Jody Crosier)
have under-stated roles...it's Brian Conley who steals the show, despite
having a "stinking cold" as he put it.
He's very funny, and makes this version of Cinders - directed and
choreographed by Paul Robinson) - more of a comedy show than anything
else.
His "Shut It!" response to the audience, who roared with
laughter at the corny choice of song - "She's Out Of My Life,"
- was brilliant. "This is supposed to be the serious bit,"
he said.
There's the usual interaction with the audience (oh yes there is),
and of course, there is a happy ending. Great stuff!
CINDERELLA:
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Fri 17th Dec 2004 to Sat 22nd Jan 2005.
Tickets: £8 - £18.50 (concessions available)
Box Office: 01752 267222
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It
was really good, especially all the jokes - Michael (10½)
from Plymouth.
