Cinderella at Lichfield Garrick Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Nigel Chester
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Lichfield Garrick theatre is set in the heart of the city, there are easy transport links, the railway station is within easy walking distance of the theatre.
Car parking is plentiful with the closest car park on Frog Street being within sight of the theatre, limited on street parking is also available.
Panto season has begun and tonight we headed to the Garrick theatre for this years offering, Cinderella!
We settled into our seats, it was a full house, packed with families and the atmosphere was building, when, with a bang, a fairy appeared, well, to be more accurate it was a fairy in training. She spoke directly to us and told us her mission, to get two people to fall in love, not because of what they were or who they were but for what was inside, which was to be the evenings entertainment and gradually we met the small cast for the pantomime.
Characters were introduced and in true panto style audience participation played a big part, hyping up the mood, by half way through the performance kids were booing, cheering and waving wildly , some standing on seats excitedly, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
All the traditional characters were there, Aldianna played by Sam Rabone and Lidleena played by Matt Daines shone throughout as Cinderella’s aesthetically challenged stepsisters, positively oozing comic menace.
Cinderella, played by Shannon Bourne, convinced that she is destined for a life of service and Buttons (Ben Thornton), her lifelong friend. Buttons plays a pivotal role in audience participation and moves the scenes along.
Prince Charming (Adam Craig) and Dandini (Joe Feeney) complete the main characters.
You know you are in for a great night when the cast are clearly enjoying themselves, making each other laugh.
The music was brilliant, a mix of sweetness, tenderness and extreme cheesiness, with the standout voice of the night being that of Cinderella (Shannon Bourne). Musical director Garry Gerry (Uncle Garry) playing an active part from the gallery, answering requests from the cast and judging audience participation competitions.
The costumes were fantastic, the usual mix of panto glitz and glamour, however the sisters costumes were breathtakingly outrageous and the number of costume changes was amazing.
As for the sets and stage design, what can I say? We went effortlessly from village square to deep in the forest, the kitchen at Hardup Hall and to the palace ballroom, however, Cinderellas carriage journey to the ball was outstandingly magical, definitely a moment to experience for yourself and one that the entire creative and production teams should be proud of.
If you’ve read this far you will know that pantomime follows a formula and it can all become a bit samey, so why choose Lichfield Garrick? While it contains all the elements needed for a good panto, good goodies vs bad baddies, flambouyant characters, colourful costumes and lots and lots of audience participation.
Where the Garrick stands out is the excellent cast, the jokes and sketches are a mix of old, some really old, and new, topical and local, jokes that flirt with the line between funny and rude, with a bit of local inter theatre rivalry thrown in.
Go on, treat the family, you know you want to – oh yes you do!
Rating: 5/5
Cinderella runs until Sunday 11 January with tickets priced between £15 and £46 (subject to £3 transaction fee) dependant on date and time of performance
For more information or to book tickets, visit https://www.lichfieldgarrick.com