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12 December 2010
Cinderella at the Oxford Playhouse.
"A pantomime written and directed by Peter Duncan. "
By: Julia Gasper. At a time of winter chills and general insecurity, what could be more reassuring than taking the children to a bright, cheery and thoroughly traditional pantomime? This production has all the usual ingredients: a well-loved story, a lot of jokes, a sequin-clad Good Fairy who appears at the right moment to make sure things go smoothly, singing, dancing, cross-dressed pantomime “dames”, and plenty of chances for the youthful audience to interact with the cast. Put into a party mood by the bobbing stroboscopic lights and over-the-top costumes, they can clap, sing, shout and from time to time even call, “Look out behind you…!” There were plenty of children on-stage and off-stage, which added to the party atmosphere. A chorus of dormice and a chorus of pumpkins both performed with gusto, and the real though tiny Shetland ponies pulling Cinderella’s carriage were a touch that won hearts. Natalie Tulloch was a believable and likeable Cinderella with a strong and pleasing voice, though it has to be said that all the singers performed with that mid-Atlantic twang which now seems to be obligatory for popular music. Amy Griffiths sparkled as the Fairy Godmother - in many ways the star role - and Roy Weskin did rather well as Baron Hardup, Cinderella’s downwardly-mobile father. There is a sprinkling of topical jokes, some of them not quite aimed at the very youngest in the audience, but intended to make their parents smile. I loved the backdrop of Cinderella’s house, with its porch and barrel, the essence of “shabby chic”. My one worry was that some of the amplification was too loud. In these days of health and safety regulation, that is one thing that tends to be overlooks. If you regard pantomime as an essential part of Christmas, then this is for you. Showing until January. http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ | ||
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