Brook Theatre
CHATHAM
21st-23rd February 2008

Director: Gerald Flanagan
Musical Director: Brian Skinner
Choreographer: Julie Price/Kayleigh Smith

There were two observations that were made when Pat and I first sat down in the auditorium: unrecognised script writer and ugly sisters being played by females. I am well known for my dislike of untraditional pantomime, it has to be female principal boys, male dames and good fairy entering from stage right etc. On all counts we were to be proved pleasantly wrong. Firstly the script was original and exciting to watch as the plot unfolded, a good script means a good pantomime from GODS. The female ugly sisters were followed by John Endicott as the Baroness. This character is rarely given much to do but in this case the script writer had created my female dame.

So what grabbed us with this version of Cinderella? Well just about everything! The opening number, “The Best of Times” punched us into a rousing start. Of particular note were the production numbers with dancing: the hunt, the ballroom and the little ghosts. Very neatly executed and costumed in a striking manner. The show ended with a reprise of “The Best of Times” and we all went home happy in the knowledge that we had experienced a first class performance from the whole cast.

The band deserves more than a mention, the were first class. A group of four players who were not over loud, gave joke and movement cues almost without fault and provided that all important continuity in the production.

Every principal played their respective roles well. The jokes came thick and fast and they were new. No more “right toe” or “you’re standing next to an idiot” type jokes but fresh and topical. “Tieland” and “PhD – Pantomime Horse Diploma” come to mind. However because the jokes came thick and fast some were lost as the punch line was swallowed or delivered too quickly or without enough emphasis.

Gerry Flanagan produced outstanding direction and involved the whole company in the action as appropriate. The little ghost dance was a complete surprise and neatly executed. Clearly Kayleigh Smith had worked long and hard on this routine and similarly with the other routines. During the interval I was told that Julie Price had worked with adult movements, although she was not mentioned in the programme. Well done to you too, Julie!

Another striking feature of the show was the quality of the costumes and their variety. Jo Kember and Julie Smith had worked extremely hard fitting everyone with their large collection of costumes. Their efforts were justified and the spectacle from the front was stunning.

The John Endicott properties were very realistic and performed the functions that were intended. I have always wondered whether the countless props that he has produced are logged and stored for future use and possible lending to other companies!

Audience participation was very well done and the idea of using a mirror to highlight individuals in the audience was a clever little trick. You may find it copied in future years by others! I was so pleased to see the slapping thighs and the coach was magnificent. The political connotations of the hunt scene were a little overdone. I am not in a position to know whether the words were in the script or whether they were added. The cookery scene again was excitingly different to the usual fare offered and the involvement of many characters made the scene particularly interesting as were not sure what we were to witness. All this added to the enjoyment of the afternoon.

It is inevitable that cameo parts almost always steal the show and I’m afraid that happened with you. The Lord Chamberlain (Brian Skinner) and Hagan the Horse (Marian Marshall and Amy Pallister) had us in fits.

All the named characters were outstanding in their parts from the Irish Buttons (Glenn Atkinson) to the “Fairy Innocence” of the Fairy (Zoey Parkin). Cinderella (Rebecca Lehmann), Prince Charming (Debbie Brennan) and Dandini (Kirsty Russell) had excellent diction, good voices and good movement.

I had some difficulty in hearing Leggett (Jake Clark) but as a pair they worked very well together. Bodgett was played by Lee Round. They had a very quick change from the ball room scene back into brokers men but they managed. That leaves just the Baron and the Baroness (Peter Lowe and John Endicott) who are stalwarts of the company and both produced very good characterisations and performances.

It was for us a very good afternoon’s entertainment, especially so when you have to understand that in our duties for NODA over the years we have seen most highs and lows of amateur productions. Yours ranks at the top end of the ladder. Well done!

Thank you so much for inviting us.

Bob Drywood
Immediate Past President NODA
24/02/08

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