Cinderella (Kinver Light Operatic Society)
Panto has hit Kinver with traditional exuberance as a gloriously entertaining team take the audience to Hardup Hall in the village of Stoney Broke for a night of song, dance and comedy shenanigans, created with some swagger by Sam Houlston (Director) and Nina Best (Musical Director).
Emma Davies is a delightfully innocent Cinderella around which the story revolves, protected by Ray Howell as her upright father Baron Hardup until he mistakenly gets hitched to money-pursuing Cathy Moreton, an entertainingly comic performance as the Baroness.
Sadly a consequence of this liaison are two further daughters, the grotesquely ugly yet stunningly hilarious Gertrude and Grizelda, barnstorming performances from Brian Ashmead-Siers and Claire Jackson who take advantage of Cinders and considerable vocal exchanges with an enthusiastic audience.
Trying desperately to pursue Cinders despite her distinct lack of reciprocal feelings, Ricky Dowell is a completely engaging Buttons building a touching rapport with the audience. Real love interest comes in the form of Alex Thompson’s well chiseled Prince Charming initially attracted to our heroine as he swaps roles with aide Dandini (the powerfully voiced Paul Costello) and finally enchanted by her at the ball in the guise of Princess Sunshine.
One cannot become a Princess without some magic, provided by a Fairy Godmother, played with glittery persona and intoxicating voice by Amy Danks. Comedy interludes are provided excellently by Deb Neale and Georgia Jackson as Bodgett and Leggett, played with local Black Country accents and traditional slapstick actions, including a very messy and exceedingly funny wallpaper and paste scene.
In a production with the dance team and ensemble full of beautiful ladies, it’s always great to see at least a couple of guys, sadly few in amateur productions but, Joe Hall and Jack Smith provide some balance to the crowd scenes and dance numbers, choreographed with style by Sophie Bishop.
Highlights are many but, my particular favourites include a rendition of The Four Seasons ‘Oh What a Night’ by the Prince, Dandini, Chambers (the Prince’s courtier, played commandingly by Dan Cowdrey), Joe and Jack, plus the Prince and Cinders delivering Extreme’s ‘More than Words’ to great audience acclaim.
It can be tempting for Panto to be moved away from the traditional in order to differentiate a production but, this one proves that is completely unnecessary in order to engage and entertain an audience. Running only until 7th December 2019, that only allows limited chances to shout ‘oh no it isn’t’ so grab a ticket while you can.
Book Here
Emma Davies is a delightfully innocent Cinderella around which the story revolves, protected by Ray Howell as her upright father Baron Hardup until he mistakenly gets hitched to money-pursuing Cathy Moreton, an entertainingly comic performance as the Baroness.
Sadly a consequence of this liaison are two further daughters, the grotesquely ugly yet stunningly hilarious Gertrude and Grizelda, barnstorming performances from Brian Ashmead-Siers and Claire Jackson who take advantage of Cinders and considerable vocal exchanges with an enthusiastic audience.
Trying desperately to pursue Cinders despite her distinct lack of reciprocal feelings, Ricky Dowell is a completely engaging Buttons building a touching rapport with the audience. Real love interest comes in the form of Alex Thompson’s well chiseled Prince Charming initially attracted to our heroine as he swaps roles with aide Dandini (the powerfully voiced Paul Costello) and finally enchanted by her at the ball in the guise of Princess Sunshine.
One cannot become a Princess without some magic, provided by a Fairy Godmother, played with glittery persona and intoxicating voice by Amy Danks. Comedy interludes are provided excellently by Deb Neale and Georgia Jackson as Bodgett and Leggett, played with local Black Country accents and traditional slapstick actions, including a very messy and exceedingly funny wallpaper and paste scene.
In a production with the dance team and ensemble full of beautiful ladies, it’s always great to see at least a couple of guys, sadly few in amateur productions but, Joe Hall and Jack Smith provide some balance to the crowd scenes and dance numbers, choreographed with style by Sophie Bishop.
Highlights are many but, my particular favourites include a rendition of The Four Seasons ‘Oh What a Night’ by the Prince, Dandini, Chambers (the Prince’s courtier, played commandingly by Dan Cowdrey), Joe and Jack, plus the Prince and Cinders delivering Extreme’s ‘More than Words’ to great audience acclaim.
It can be tempting for Panto to be moved away from the traditional in order to differentiate a production but, this one proves that is completely unnecessary in order to engage and entertain an audience. Running only until 7th December 2019, that only allows limited chances to shout ‘oh no it isn’t’ so grab a ticket while you can.
Book Here
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