REVIEW: Cinderella on the Anvil Arts, Basingstoke

There is one title that claims Christmas Pantomime and that’s in fact Cinderella. While some producers are tempted to replace the story, resetting it in new places, Jon Monie’s script that performed the Theatre Royal Bath final 12 months tells the story within the conventional means with new stepsisters arriving at Hard Up Hall, Buttons in love with Cinders, an opportunity assembly with the Prince throughout a fox hunt after which the dramatic ticket tearing scene to cease her going to the Ball. All the important thing story beats are there and with an skilled solid, the consequence is an efficient retelling of the basic story at The Anvil in Basingstoke.

In sharp and great distinction are the Ugly Sisters, Harmony (Nic Gibney) and Melody, pronounced My-lady (Duncan Burt), these seasoned performers received Best Ugly Sisters for a similar roles in Bath, and so they repeat their wonderful double act with the identical aggressive perspective in direction of Cinderella that received the award. They bounce off one another with vitality and good comedian timing and a reprise of some good enterprise from final 12 months of the Love Lottery and the house sauna. When it involves the long-lasting ticket-tearing scene, they ignore Nigel Ellacott’s recommendation to face nonetheless so the main target is on Cinders and as a substitute encircle her with their taunts, but it surely works dramatically. 

In cost of the whole lot is Chris Pizzey (who some will know as Basil Brush’s sidekick) as big-hearted Buttons and likewise the director of the present. He works very laborious to get the viewers up and win over their sympathy for his unrequited love for Cinders. Full of vitality and a broad smile he begins with a basic little bit of entrance material enterprise, the audio described magic lesson which works very properly. He additionally throws himself into the Wall tune, “Close to you” with Cinders and Charming as the 2 males battle for her consideration. 

Cinders is performed by Rachel Grundy (in a extra demure position than her frequent appearances on Rocky Horror excursions!). She appears to be like the half, sings properly and handles the transformation at finish of Act 1 properly. Although her ultimate entrance flown in after escaping the wardrobe is much less easy however a nice twist to the standard enterprise. Opposite her is Joseph Hewlett as a neighing Prince Charming which for some cause put me in thoughts of the good Lance Percival and was known as upon to ship “a quick musical reprise with parody lyrics” as a scene filler! He is ably supported by Chris Fearn as Dandini who will get his second centre stage at the beginning of Act 2 singing “Ballroom Blitz” to open the Ball. There is nice choreography all through by Sarah Louise Day with an ensemble of 4 women and three boys and an built-in cute cartwheeling junior ensemble and an particularly good ballet sequence with the foxes preventing off the hunt.

This is an excellent retelling of the normal Cinderella story and an excellent introduction to younger households to the enjoyment of Pantomime with a really skilled solid and wonderful Ensemble who ship with loads of vitality and likeability. It deserved to have an even bigger viewers than my go to so to all these in Berkshire and Hampshire say, “Yes, you should go to the Ball, and you will enjoy it!”