By the time you learn this evaluate, this 12 months’s manufacturing of Cinderella on the Lighthouse Theatre in Poole may have virtually completed its run however learn on as a result of the identical crew will likely be again subsequent 12 months with a manufacturing of Aladdin which is a title with extra magical enterprise and narrative than most different titles and is bound to be an excellent present. What does it take to be an important pantomime and why is the Poole crew so efficient?
Secondly, the comedy enterprise is each derived from the traditions of pantomime however refreshed and built-in into the present as a part of the narrative somewhat than simply shoehorned in from a list of previous routines. This Cinderella is about in Hard-Up Hotel, and the comedy enterprise is tailored to that setting. The Abbott and Costello routine “Who’s on first base?” is tailored to “Who’s in room one?” and is executed with consummate talent and timing. The Ghost Bench routine is tailored to a sea monster out and in of 5 resort doorways behind the solid to provide the standard enterprise a contemporary really feel. The “pun trolley” turns into a Deliveroo-style distribution of meals timed completely to interrupt the dialog between the 2 Ugly Sisters to nice comedian impact. Then the Mirror routine matches simply into their boudoir as they put together to fulfill the Prince. These present the present highlights.
The third component is the magic and transformation that transfixes the viewers and creates probably the most spectacular moments of the present. Lauren Azania oversees the magic because the Fairy Godmother bursting with character and a soulful voice (although she does break with custom and exit stage left). The transformation scene from pumpkin to the carriage is fantastically staged with a chic strike of the Kitchen scene, a flying Cinderella with a pleasant projected coach earlier than revealing the actual carriage with two cute ponies for the basic aah second.
Of course, it then wants a solid working collectively to ship all of it as an Ensemble and convey vitality and pleasure to the execution of the enterprise. The manufacturing was lucky to have Jarvis as an attractive Buttons, Andrew Pollard and Alim Jadavji as the 2 contrasting and luxurious Ugly Sisters, Nadine and Doris, and Simon Rawlings because the Baron who mix so properly within the routines. The Uglies opening look in bikini’s set the tone brilliantly letting us know that every of them was working to ship the laughs even at their very own expense. There is a powerful sense that the comedy is being saved topical with references to the postal and practice strikes, Traitors and Faithful (from the latest TV hit) and even an excellent King Charles III impression! The music choice can be wonderful with tunes for all of the household together with the 2016 “Symphony”, Sam Ryder’s “Spaceman, the 1985 “Sisters are doing it”, the 1979 “We are family”, the 1972 “I believe in miracles” and the 1965 “Stop in the name of love”. Best of all together with a tune sheet of “I am HAPPY” with 4 younger youngsters which is at all times an enthralling conclusion to Pantomime even when the youngsters are reluctant to talk!
The results of an excellent script, nice comedian enterprise, magical transformation, a powerful solid, and huge music choice is a superb present which engages and entertains younger and outdated within the viewers and honours the traditions whereas feeling like a contemporary adaptation. If they’ll repeat that trick with Aladdin subsequent 12 months, which has a lot scope for all these parts, then the Lighthouse will likely be establishing a repute as among the best pantomimes producers within the nation.
Review by Nick Wayne
Rating: ★★★★
Seat: Stalls, Row J | Price of Ticket: £28.33