Cinderella At Milton Keynes Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Dot White
On a miserable dark, damp night my granddaughter and myself made our way to Milton Keynes to see this year’s Pantomime Cinderella starring Brian Conley as Buttons which was taking place at Milton Keynes Theatre. Brian Conley is a comedian and a Musical Theatre star according to what I read online, but I wasn’t aware of his Musical Theatre background. He last visited Milton Keynes Theatre in 2017 for Pantomime. I was surprised how much and how well he sang.
I had decided to park directly opposite the Theatre in a Central Milton Keynes car park which was a good choice as there were plenty of spaces available when we arrived.
It was an absolutely fantastic show, we both loved every minute of it! Of course there was the usual picking on members of the audience jokes throughout the show and he did a some really funny scenes, but I won’t spoil it by telling you what. Children were invited onto the stage with him to help him sing a song, oh watch out for the water pistol!!
The Theatre was warm and welcoming, light up toys and programmes were on sale in the foyer as well as stalls selling sweets, chocolates, and popcorn. The light up toys would be great as a distraction to keep the children occupied if they became bored. Drinks were also on sale and you could pre order for the interval.
I honestly don’t think any children became bored. Buttons loved Cinderella and had bought her a present which he left it at the side of the stage, the children shouted out for all they were worth to warn Buttons whenever anyone walked towards Cinderella’s present.
Lucy Conley played Fairy 312 who was trying so hard to earn her Fairy Wings so she could graduate and become a Fairy Godmother, but she needed to do one more good deed before she could. She was a really good singer and actor.
James Darch was the handsome Prince Charming alongside Owen Stringer as Dandini, both were great actors and were dressed as if they could be royalty. Both were accomplished singers as well.
Ben Stock and Neal Wright were Cinderella’s Ugly Sisters, Tess and Claudia, who treated Cinderella as if she was their servant. They were like chalk and cheese, one tall and the other short. All their outfits and wigs were great, just who thinks up these crazy outfits? At one point though there was a wig malfunction which Brian Conley made the most of, oh and a slip of the tongue by Tess which made the ugly sisters and Buttons laugh amongst themselves. My granddaughter commented that she loves it when these little slip ups happen.
Sarah Vaughan was the standout performer of the night for both my granddaughter and me, she had an amazing singing voice and played the part of Cinderella so well. I am not sure how her rags were transformed into a beautiful dress right in front of our eyes but they were, of course with the help of Fairy 312. The coach to take her to the ball, well that was absolutely amazing!! The lighting and special effects were marvellous.
Buttons, Cinderella & Prince Charming did a very funny scene together which they must have all been exhausted after.
The storyline loosely followed the tale of Cinderella which we all know and love. All the costumes were great and in keeping with the story as was the scenery which was simple but effective.
The choreography was good as were the eight dancers, four male and four female and they performed it well. I loved the outfits they wore for the ball with detachable skirts.
There was live orchestra which at times tended to overpower the singers.
All to soon it was over and they were taking their final curtain call.
Rating: 5/5
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/cinderella/milton-keynes-theatre/
Tickets from £13 subject to a transaction fee of £3.80
Cinderella runs from Saturday 9th December until Sunday 14th January
Running time is 2 hours 15 mins including interval.