Cinderella by English Touring Opera at Lighthouse Poole Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Mel S-W
Cinderella is my all time favourite fairy tale so was very much looking forward to seeing it in the Opera format. I’m quite new to operas, with this just being the second opera I have seen. Cinderella is a new production for The English Touring Opera and it is directed by Jenny Ogilvie and conductor Naomi Woo. They are just in The Lighthouse for 1 night only with this performance, having completed a different opera the night before. The opera is in English with English subtitles. Quite conveniently, there were subtitle screens on both sides of the stage so you could see these from wherever you were sat. For anyone who hasn’t seen an opera before I would highly recommend you watch one. The emotions, the feeling that is portrayed through such talented voices together with the beautiful orchestra make it quite an experience. Finding an opera that is performed in English can also help you understand what is being said.
So what’s the story about? Cinderella, who is ignored and chastised by her stepsisters, forced into the role of a maid in the château, takes pity on a beggar, who is actually the Prince’s friend Alidoro (the Fixer) in disguise. What caused some confusion was that Alidoro in this version was a museum curator/worker who was leaving the museum behind and I didn’t get the link until the end of the first half that this was the case. Cinderella and the Prince meet and fall in love while he is disguised as his own valet, Dandini, delivering invitations to the ball he is about to give. It is a triumph of goodness and kindness. A true love story.
In this adaptation, there is no slipper, no pumpkin, no chimes at midnight and “a fixer” instead of a fairy godmother. Quite bizarrely, the show was set in a museum. When we arrived, the curtain was already up. The set was designed as a museum with several mannequins and artifacts set up. During the interval, the curtain remained up and I found it quite interesting seeing the stage crew setting up for the next act. The cast made their entrance and exits in large packing boxes which were wheeled on and off of the stage. With a lack of a fireplace, Cinderella sought solace from her sister’s in a small packing box. It was different to what I thought it would be, I enjoyed it but I did find it a bit difficult to get my head around.
The show was dotted with humour throughout with some comical moments. Most of these comical escapades come from the competitiveness between the stepsisters who feel it’s their right to marry the prince. From their need to impress the Prince, their disgust at the Prince as a servant and also them supporting their father Don Magnifico in his plight to save the family. The relationship between the Prince and Dandini was very amusing, from Dandini’s delight about becoming Prince for the day to his frustration about staying in character when the stepsisters were arguing over him. Esme Bronwen-Smith had a great vocal range as Cinderella and was met my applause and whoops from the audience. Also I was a bit confused as to the setting, I did enjoy the performance, the singing and some very odd staging and concepts.
It was great having the live orchestra, the acoustics are great in The Lighthouse. The orchestra played brilliantly throughout, but was very quick paced and it almost felt like the orchestra was running away. The singers were dressed in beige to add simulate the colours of museum mannequins. It was great in the first scene where the cast swapped places with the mannequins. I was however a little disappointed by Cinderella’s grand wedding outfit which consisted of a pink suit and beige corset.
I know I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to fairy tales, but I never expected Cinderella to round up the cast into packing boxes – including her Prince who she has proclaimed her love to – grab a baseball hat and do a runner wielding a shotgun.
I’m not sure if I understood the concept or some of the references in the show. Those around us seemed to absolutely love the adaptation. As we were walking out audience members were giving it high ratings. A weird setting but an enjoyable night with a great vocal demonstration.
The Poole Lighthouse. It is such a modern, friendly and compact theatre that it’s great having it on the doorstep. He recognised instantly where it was with its iconic glass frontage. After a short drive over from Bournemouth we parked in one of the numerous car parks around the Poole Lighthouse. The staff are always friendly
Once in the theatre we were on for a treat with some amazing seats. We were in row K and were very central with a great view. The Lighthouse offers one of the best views from all of its seats of any of the theatres I have visited. I have had the pleasure of watching performances from a variety of seats and I honestly don’t think there are any seats I wouldn’t book! The gradient means that even if you had someone sat in front of you, you can still see.
The show was 2 hours 20 minutes which included a 20 minute interval.
This was a one night only show at The Lighthouse Poole and tickets are from £25. For other shows held at The Lighthouse, you can visit their website at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/
Rating: 3/5
The full address of the theatre is Lighthouse Arts and Entertainment, 21 Kingland Road Poole Dorset BH15 1UG