Soho Cinders (Third From The Right Productions)

It's always a little more of a challenge to review a production you've never seen before, so have little to go on or comparison to make and this couldn't be more true of Soho Cinders, written by the decidedly well known George Stiles and Anthony Drewe but, still relatively rarely performed with this being the Midlands Premiere by TFTR Productions.

Loosely based on the Cinderella Story, I guess one could say this is an unusual, possibly daring retelling of a classic fairytale, performed with vigour by a talented cast, gloriously orchestrated for the first time in the role of Director/Choreographer by Gaynor Whitehouse, ably assisted by Jez Luckins as Assistant Director and Chris Corcoran as Musical Director.

At the centre of this colourful piece of Musical Theatre is Robbie a young, gay guy running a launderette that he's about to lose due to his now deceased mother not having made a will and played with naive charm and a quietly powerful vocal by Joshua Hawkins. He is assisted by Velcro who secretly loves Robbie but, realises it will never happen as she is looking for a straight guy and played by Kerry Davies who delivers not only a great piece of character acting but, some incredibly strong and melodic vocals.

Frequenting the launderette are rickshaw driver Sidesaddle, no coach and horses this time but, instead  a rickshaw laden with lights and under the control of Amy Pearson (another stunning voice to listen to) and a customer who strips down to his pants and watches his whole attire wash in one, played with confidence by Jake Winwood (obviously still remembering a previous role in The Full Monty).

Making Robbie’s life a misery are his stepsisters Dana and Clodagh, a couple particularly horrid yet strangely likable and played with comic brilliance and singing voices that by rights really shouldn’t be that exceptional by Gillian Homer and Natalie Baggott, their rendition of 'I'm So Over Men' is sublime.

On the other side of this strange story is candidate for London Mayor, James Prince played with pana

che by Adam Siviter, living with his fiancé Marilyn Platt (a touching, emotional and vocally excellent performance from Sarah Coussens) but, secretly having a homosexual affair with Robbie which complicates the relationships a little. It doesn’t however stop there as Robbie is also in a relationship of sorts with business tycoon Lord Bellingham (a commanding portrayal by Tony Newbould).

Running James’s campaign to become mayor is the completely reprehensible William George a character that one loves to hate and played authentically (almost too authentically for comfort at times) by Carl Cook with the addition of a strapping singing vocal. William not only dictates to James but, is not averse to sexually harassing his secretary Sasha, played with just the right amount of nervous tension by Kaz Luckins.

There is no doubt that a story of such complexity needs a storyteller, provided in the guise of Black Country Radio’s, Matt Dudley as the glitteringly clad and ever witty Narrator and let's not forget the ensemble cast who make the dance numbers a feast for the eyes.

TFTR Productions always bring something new and innovative to the stage and performances are a delight so don't miss the opportunity to catch this production as I have only given you a taster of the twists and turns in the story, you'll laugh, you'll cry and I'm sure you'll remember the experience for some time to come and there are only two performances left, so get booking !

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