Cinderella at New Theatre Cardiff Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Lisa Warren
Last night the New Theatre celebrated its 118th birthday and I was there to cheer, gasp and laugh with an audience that ranged between 5 to 99 years to watch this year’s pantomime Cinderella.
There is always a wonderful greeting by the team there from the ticket collectors, ushers to management, it really feels like a place where they work hard but love the place.
Bringing the traditional well loved story of Cinderella up to date with use of current songs that fit perfectly with the scene of the show and sprinkle of local geographical humour and talent.
Opening with Cardiff’s resident panto legend, Mike Doyle, who played a baddie for the first time it would seem, the evil Baroness Hardup. I soon realised (and joined in with )that there was a definite tagline of his which the audience knew well and loved to respond to. “How you doing, alright?” He was DIVINE as her and it was hard to dislike him, and as a legend of over 30 years on the panto circuit, was central to a lot of laughs throughout the show.
The cast was full of more Welsh celebrities, Stephanie Webber as Fairy Godmother, Owain Wyn Evans Gethin Jones as Prince Charming, and the super colourful and chucklesome Ugly Sisters who had the best cackles which with their thick Welsh accents was fabalas! Denquar Chupak was a sweet Cinderella, whose innocence made you love her just like the Prince did.
There was a lovely obvious panto familiarity of tongue in cheek humour, laughs for all ages, even if you were too young to get the more alluded to jokes on occasion. Slapstick a plenty, the Dames “Trouble” with her punching the dancers many times, the glitzy and comical parts of Shake it off. Fab simple fun jokes in the Weakest link skit and lots lots more, it was a night to be entertained throughout.
Gethin and Owain’s scenes on stage were cheeky, a lovely relationship pairing that allowed both to shine, and boy did their shows shine! Loved that Dandini expressed his true self on stage, his flamboyant camp dancing and shimming up the Prince, and a giggle filled scene with Buttons and an audience member around dating girls!
The story line was filled with one liners and skits that showcased the stars previous shows and endeavours, some fantastic footwork from Strictly runner up Gethin, spectacular drumming from Owain and the wonderful voice of Stephanie and comical timing from Jack Ryan as Buttons. You would not have know that this was Jack’s first panto, going from being solo to work with a cast can be difficult but he had some fantastic scenes with Mike and Owain, a super silly tongue twister and a fab old school pulling someone of a wall scene with Gethin and Denquar.
Together the whole cast including the high kicking amazing chorus line, who oh my had the best costumes, polar bear riding soldiers, town workers and pumpkins (this has to be seen to be believed) were fantastic, it really didn’t feel like it had only been going for a few days. The show was full of surprises, of which I am not going to share as well. I want you to have the mouth a jar moments that the audience and I had. Lets just say the end of the first act carriage scene was AMAZING. I am still thinking about it now.
In Fact the scenery, staging and lighting were tremendous, 3D moments, costumes glowing, glittering and so detailed, twinkling stars at the ball, snowy woodland scenes.. Unicorns, polar bears, pumpkins all came to life right before our eyes.
It’s been about 35 years since I last saw a pantomime and well… after tonight’s performance it will be an annual activity for definite!
Rating: 5/5
Listings and ticket information:
Sat 7 Dec 2024 – Sun 5 Jan 2025
Sat 7 Rhag 2024 – Sul 5 Ion 2025
New Theatre, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3LN
£24- £48 additional booking fee applicable. £3.95
Tickets are available from:
Box office: 0343 310 0041
Website: newtheatrecardiff.co.uk