The Glass Slippers,The Real Story of Cinderella at Sherling Studio, Lighthouse, Poole
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Helen O
I was really excited to be given the opportunity to review The Glass Slippers at Lighthouse Poole, with my 3 year old daughter on opening day, today.
Although I’ve been to Lighthouse, Poole on numerous occasions previously, I’d never watched a show in the Sherling Studio before. I was interested to see how the unreserved seating option would work, so we got to the theatre with plenty of time to spare, to ensure we got a decent seat. We found a seat in the middle of the theatre, on the end of a row. Reserved seating would be my preference, so you know what to expect beforehand.
Interestingly the three actors appeared in the auditorium, a few minutes before the show started, interacting and engaging with the audience. I thought this was a nice touch, particularly for the littlest members of the audience, who might be a bit shy and allowed some time to familiarise themselves with the cast.
Billed as The Real Story of Cinderella, this show is a new take on Cinderella, re-imagined and adapted by BAFTA nominee Emma Reeves for Tutti Frutti Productions. Gone are the outdated ideas of the ‘ugly’ sisters and the belief that the only way a fairy tale can end, is with a Prince saving the day.
The performance took place by the seaside, which is a far-cry from the conventional setting of the Cinderella story. However, due to Poole being located by the sea, it made it more relatable for the audience. Although there was only one main set for the duration of the piece, the three actors changed up parts of their costumes and accents to differentiate between the characters, which I found quite effective.
We particularly enjoyed the camaraderie between the 3 actors, with Cinderella being played by Hope Yolanda and the remaining (multiple) roles being played with boundless enthusiasm by Matthew Nicholson and Jazz Harbour.
The ‘ugly’ sisters were replaced with twins, which was refreshing and although a little cheeky to their stepsister, Cinderella, their hearts were in the right places and they weren’t nearly half as mean to Cinderella as in previous portrayals.
The show is aimed at age 3 years+, which I thought was ok, but perhaps school age children would have understood what was going on a bit better, as there are frequent references to ‘hashtags’ and ‘screen time’, which I feel are for a slightly older audience. However, it did add to the contemporary feel of this interpretation of what is effectively, one of the oldest stories in history, bringing it right up to date.
There was original music and songs, which were beautifully performed by the cast and there was humour and fun, what more could you ask for?!
The show ran for an hour (there was no interval), which was the perfect duration for the intended audience. I know from previous experience how difficult it is to entertain such little people and keep them engaged! In the main, I think the young audience remained engaged throughout and there were lots of smiles on faces, from what I could see.
I was impressed to see the energy maintained on stage by the three actors for the duration of their performance, they clearly enjoy what they are doing. I thought it was a really lovely touch that the actors greeted the audience on the way out, adding to the experience.
The Glass Slippers is showing at Lighthouse Poole on selected dates between 7th and 24th December 2024, with dedicated school performances on some midweek dates, at a reduced price of £8.50 per child. Otherwise tickets start from £12.50, which I think is good value for an afternoon at the theatre. This is the culmination of the national tour, which started back in October 2024.
Rating: 4/5
RRP – Tickets from £12.50 each
Buy tickets from www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Address: Lighthouse, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG