Cinderella

It’s that time of year again where the pretty lights go up, families come together, and everyone dresses up for the annual pantomime. This year is no different as we step into the glittery world of Cinderella, a family favourite throughout generations.

Now, we’re all familiar with the story of Cinderella, the servant girl who defies her stepfamily to get to the ball where she meets the Prince and falls in love. This story has a few tweaks, one being that Prince decides he wants to find someone who loves him for him and not his status, so he swaps places with his friend Andini to appear as a servant. He meets Cinderella in the woods and the two fall in love, but quite like the classic tale, she has a habit of running away before he can catch her name. The story remains traditional with its Fairy Godmother coming to save Cinderella after she is denied access to the ball by her stepsisters Aldianna and Lidleena. Cinderella turns up in her glitzy coach under the disguise of a Princess, where the Prince and her finally share some time together, until the clock strikes midnight, and she has to run away, again. As the magic fades, the Prince has only her glass slipper to find her, (seriously, can’t he even remember her face?) So, logically, he has every woman in the kingdom try on the shoe until he finds her.

Cinderella photo credit. Pamela Raith

Understandably, this show is heavily pandered towards kids. Naturally, there are a lot of call and response bits to get children to engage that does just feel a little bit daunting to participate in. But in between the “hiya gang!”s and “hiya Buttons!”, there is a show that can be enjoyed by everyone. Of course, there are a number of classic pantomime gags, like singing Ghostbusters to get rid of the ghosts in the woods, only for the dame to scare them off, that provide easy comedy. However, this show stands on its own two feet, with a number of puns, including a 35-pun run through. As to be expected, the stepsisters (Gordon Cooper and Matt Daines,) provide the majority of the comedy with their outrageous costumes, quirky dance numbers and fun commentary. And yes, they do sing HOT TO GO.

There’s no use denying that the world is changing, and it is becoming more progressive, especially since Cinderella’s original debut. Although the classic story wasn’t exactly that bad in that aspect- Cinderella was hardworking, got her justice, and met a man on her terms- it is a good message for kids to remind them that girls can cook for fun and not rely on a man to live, which the show did. Yet, there was a big lesson missed when Buttons decides to confess his love to Cinderella, and she has to apologise for not liking him back. Then, for a hot minute, after repeatedly asking her if she’ll change her mind- Buttons just tries to prevent the Prince’s message from reaching Cinderella out of- jealousy? Spite? Sure, these are emotions children are bound to experience and should have some help dealing with. Yet Buttons receives no big lesson as to why he shouldn’t let Cinderella be happy and instead it’s all forgotten about in Act 2… until he starts sobbing all over her and the Prince’s parade. We can get rid of THAT pantomime tradition, and just put more of Cinderella (Marcavia McCarthy) and Prince Charming (Marcellus Whyte) singing a beautiful ballad to each other or bopping to Crazy in Love. On that note, it’s criminal that McCarthy didn’t get more singing time. That high note, you’ll know the one, almost brought tears to my eyes. It’s her world and we are all living in it, amen.

Overall, the show is exactly as you’d expect it to be. It’s a pantomime, after all, it’s quite a challenge to add anything to that beyond a couple of culture relevant jokes from that year. There are a few showstoppers, such as the horse and carriage (can’t elaborate, I’d be robbing you of the firsthand experience). Obviously, it’s great for kids. Obviously, it’s great for families. Obviously, it’s amazing for any lucky dad in the front row who gets to be the centre of the stepsisters’ attention all night. So, honestly, it’s a fun experience for everyone. You may sink down in your seat when a volunteer is needed, but you can’t keep back your laughter.