It is at all times thrilling and attention-grabbing to see a well known celeb make their Pantomime debut and every season new acquainted faces are interested in the stage. I doubt if there has ever been a greater celeb debut than Vernon Kay on the Wycombe Swan as Dandini in Cinderella. Despite the truth that that is typically a supporting function he dominates the stage with a bubbly and blissful character and pure attraction, he has the viewers consuming out of his hand from his first look. He reveals an understanding of the pantomime style and the character of reside theatre and engages the viewers along with his asides, seems to be and smiles. When it involves introducing the Principal Boy, Prince Charming, he asks a younger boy from the viewers to come back on the stage and do it for him and handles the second delightfully. Why Cinderella doesn’t fall for him as a substitute of the Prince is a thriller till you keep in mind that they’re more often than not following Will Brenton’s glorious script.
Verity Thompson making her skilled debut as Cinderella was fantastic too from her opening tune of “ Green Green Grass” to her assembly with the Prince (James Bisp) in “Bring me higher love” after which after the Ball “Need somebody”, she sings fantastically, strikes elegantly, and interacts properly with all of the forged. The transformation right into a ball robe was slickly dealt with with very intelligent use of the overlaying white cloak and projected pictures including to the magical impact.Of course, any story wants some jeopardy, and that is offered by the magnificently haughty and delightfully depraved Baroness performed by Penelope Macdonald, with only a contact of Cruella De vile about her look, who revelled within the boos and “boozy” viewers reactions. The conventional ghost bench along with her, Buttons and Dandini was additionally completely performed. Her two daughters had been performed by Eleanor Burke and Kelly Sweeney and unusually the design missed the possibility to have some enjoyable with their costumes because the Ugly Sisters normally do they usually may have been given extra enterprise. Their inclusion within the typical chocolate bar pun routine was too many voices for the scene to run easily. The three did nevertheless observe Nigel Ellacott’s recommendation to remain nonetheless throughout the ticket-tearing scene and it labored a deal with including to the pathos of the second.
Joelle Moss added a contact of magic because the Fairy Godmother though her appearances had been restricted early on to the stage proper plinth, she acquired an opportunity to flourish within the transformation scene and there have been a superb grownup and junior ensemble in some excellent choreography by Richard Hinds which used the stage and raised areas properly with an exquisite rock and roll medley finale.
This is a wonderful manufacturing pushed by Vernon Kay’s recent power and luxury with the style and an exquisite supporting forged, slick route and sumptuous staging and elevates the usual anticipated on the Wycombe Swan. It have to be hoped that the audiences are sufficiently impressed to return in 2023 when the venue provides thrilling new touring productions of The Mirror Cracked in February and the King and I in March which confirmed additionally ship these excessive manufacturing values to this beautiful regional venue.
Review by Nick Wayne
Rating: ★★★★★
Seat: Circle, Row Okay | Price of Ticket: £33