Cinderella Panto @ Darlington Civic

Panto season again at the Civic means madcap fun, classic entertainment and the chance to watch one of the funniest men on the stage.  This year’s offering of Cinderella dishes up the treats like a festive selection box – you know what to expect, you know you like ‘em all and too much might just leave you feeling a little queasy (from laughing so much)

The script for panto Cinders is pretty stable fayre; the story, the jokes and the finale are all time honored and rarely does a production dare to stray.  How they can introduce some uniqueness and originality is through the star casting, the musical numbers, the use of current tech and usually with some good old fashioned slapstick – to this end Darlington’s’ festive fun stands strong on its own.

Playing the title role is the beautiful Ashleigh Butler, a young lady who deserves top billing on her own but who is always shadowed by her furry friend Pudsey.  Make no bones about it, Ashleigh can sing, dance and act as good as any other Cinders but it is the little canine companion who draws the ‘aws’ every time he appears and never seemed fazed by the noise, the laughter and the occasional faux pas from the two legged cast members.

Playing opposite Ashleigh is Matt Edwards as Buttons – her love-struck bff who is so desperately in love with her that he will even help Prince Charming find her despite knowing that when he does they will surely marry.  How to sum up Matt Edwards ?  The best accolade I can give is that if they ever wanted to remake the fabulous and famous Norman Wisdom movies then Matt is without a doubt the best person to play the perpetual underdog; his timing is impeccable, his style and mannerisms uncannily like Sir Norman and his ability to disarm any situation and return it to its funniest core is worthy of a show all of his own.  He is adept at party magic, can throw his voice and has the athletic poise to deliver plenty of pratfalls (even when he doesn’t mean to).  His scene in the forest where he attempts to intervene between Prince Charming and Cinders is delivered with the same impact, tearful laughter and gasping for breath worthy of the best silent movie comics, whilst his leading of a total slapstick rendition of “12 days of Christmas” should be shown on TV every day in December as a remedy for pre-Christmas stress. 

The usual panto stalwarts and objects of derision, the ugly step sisters, are played by regional favorites Danny Potts and Phil Corbitt whose personalities are only beaten for size by their dresses and hairdos.  Danny & Phil have built a great repartee and are obviously very comfortable with their return to the Civic; indeed some of the jokes weren’t so much close to the knuckle as being right down to the bone but it certainly gave the adults a little extra to giggle at.

This year’s standout moment is the rather ingenious and unique way in which Cinders makes her way to the ball; I won’t spoil the surprise suffice it to say that those with an appreciation of Greek mythology will find it mesmerising.

The only disappointment of the evening was the introduction of Dooby Duck and gang as a mid-show interlude.  Sadly, the prospect of a load of animal based marionettes playing to a rather convoluted soundtrack of stereotypical pop music completely killed any momentum which the preceding merriment had built and left the majority of the younger audience sat in baffled silence while the adults started to fidget nervously, daring themselves to maybe check their phones for a quick football update or a status refresh on Facebook.   This show wasn’t that good when it was new (in the 60’s/70’s) but today, in the age of hi-tech 3d graphics, shadow imaging and computer generated projections it just can’t connect to the audience.  Happily tho, it is soon back to the bright lights and zany laughter as we rush headlong towards the grand finale and the chance to marvel at the choreography and wonderful dancing of the Joanne Banks Dancers.

So, as always, if you want a fabulous evening packed with laughter that is guaranteed to start your run to Christmas in the best way possible then get yourself to the Civic, plonk yourself down, strap up your ribs tight and enjoy Matt, Ashleigh, Danny, Phil and of course, Pudsey.  You’ll love it, oh yes you will.

Cinderella Panto @ Darlington Civic with Jimmy Cricket

It's panto time and as befits the age old tradition, Darlington Civic have once again produced a classic, fun-packed evening for the whole family.  This years festive frolic is Cinderella, and whilst the story stays true to the tried & trusted tale, the writing, the jokes and in particular the music really brings things up to date.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you the plot, nor do I need explain the premise of a panto; all the favourites are present - the Ugly Sisters to boo at, Buttons and his unrequited love for Cinders, a Fairy Godmother to make sure the night goes well and of course The Prince & Cinderella for a happy ever after.  This production however also makes sure that there is a little extra for everyone - Jimmy Cricket does what he does best, his little solo interludes keep the audience (and in particular the kids) on a high as the stage and costumes change, The Prince & Dandini share a few subtle under jokes which only the adults in the audience will get and, for the Dads & Grandads, there is almost a burlesque appeal to the adult dancers with saucy maids and risque villagers.

The show starts quite slow with each main character having a brief intial cameo to introduce themselves before the story really starts.  Jimmy Cricket and Dawson Chance are both needed to keep the kids focussed and then we are treated to a couple of songs (blending modern pop classics with some Disney faves) before heading into the main plot. 

Stage Left - Emmerdale's Deena Payne as the Fairy Godmother revels in the role as guardian, guide and mischief maker (while occasionally giving us a glimpse of a 'great pair of pins') while giving the FGM a certain class & style.  She leads off on two of the shows great songs (fans of Glee will be in heaven) and whilst she's no X-Factor finalist, she more than holds her own.

Stage Right - Adam C Booth as Buttons and really the chief cheerleader - all the standard panto refrains come from Buttons and Adam plays to the kids perfectly.  His besotted dotage on Cinders does occasionally border on the slightly creepy (he's her life long friend but I still believe he wouldn't think twice about sneaking a peek !) but as always Buttons comes through as the dependable buddy.  Adam is a seasoned Panto actor and it shows, his timing is perfect - he knows just how to allow the audience to react and then get settled before going on with the tale.

Centre stage - Prince Charming (Ray Quinn from Brookside and X Factor finalist) proves that he's got the lot - he can dance, he can certainly sing and he can act, though a cheeky rascal scouse Prince Charming was a first for me.  In fact I'd go so far as to say that Ray is perfect for Panto, talent in abundance and the boyish good looks that will keep young fans enthralled and their older sisters in raptures.  Emma Stephens as Cinderella is stunning; she is beautiful, a very talented dancer and again another great singer.  Her Cinders has the right blend of innocence coupled with genuine beauty which is quintessential to the role.  Emma's biopic in the programme suggests that to date her career has been solely on the stage, hopefully she will tour again next year as I believe this young star has a very promising career.

Lurking in the wings - The Ugly Sisters - the favourite bad (taste) guys/girls.  Brian Godfrey and Darren Southworth play these two almost too well - they both look mighty fine in frocks and seem very comfortable in the huge range of outlandish costumes, wigs and accompaniments that make them look like Lady Gaga's rejected stage ideas.  Brian sounds like Grandad from Only Fools & Horses, which, for true authenticity, is probably the best voice for an ugly sister - unlike other panto 'Dames' (Jack's Mum or Widow Twankee) these two are never meant to be anything other than guys in bad drag and they work so well together. 

The script is tight but the cast are comfortable enough to react to the audience - in fact when Ray Quinn realised that most of us were taking the mick out of his Scouse accent he played to it and encouraged even more ribbing.  It really looks like the whole production team are having fun and why wouldn't they - they've got a great show, a great run (I'm sure it will prove to be one of Darlington's best supported pantos despite the current economic climate) and the wonderful staff of Darlington Civic to look after them.

Christmas is only round the corner but take a tip from me; have a treat early, take your family and go and get lost in the Britishness of panto, Carry-On jokes, saucy dancers and a beautiful Cinderella - you deserve it !