Cinderella

Family Musical 
by David Wood
2 - 4, 9 - 11, 16 - 17 January 2004

Director                         Peter Ashton
Musical Director              Anton Gwilt
Chorus Master        Rachel Lockwood

The Cast

The Musicians

Press Review

Cinderella
Shinfield Players Theatre - January 2004

This was the new version of this traditional pantomime - a "family musical" by David Wood. There wasn't a buttons character but it seemed to flow very well without him.
 
There certainly was much more music than normal, and very well sung it was too. I liked the sets, which were well painted, and the costumes were excellent. There were a lot of new faces in the cast this year, who all worked extremely well together. 

Hannah Bray as Cinderella impressed, Jane Hardcastle as Prince Charming was just right. Bella and Donna, the Ugly sisters, were well played by Joff Hamilton and Jonathan Wansey respectively, and their comedy timing was superb, Derek Lockwood as King Septimus and Marion Hancock as Queen Ermintrude made a very good couple indeed. Jim Clements as Baron Hardy fascinated me - he fitted the part so well and is part in the chase through the woods scene was hilarious. Lara Savory made a very good Jester and Sherrie Carslake was the Fairy Godmother. And I loved the two Mice, played by Harriet Gwilt and Victoria Garraway, who really got into their roles. 

The chorus sang with gusto and supported very well. And let's not forget Greased Lightning the horse, which I wouldn't have put a penny on at Ascot! The show was well lit and very well directed by the hard working Pete Ashton with Guy Cleall and Wendy Evans as Stage Managers. All in all, the best amateur pantomime I have seen in a long time.

Tandem for the Reading Chronicle

Members Review

If Panto was a product that could be slapped in a tin and labelled, then the label would have to include phrases like "80% slapstick" Sing-along-able songs" and "Health Warning: may cause uncontrollable laughter". Cinderella, directed by Peter Ashton and supported by an able cast and band was a return to these values. I laughed throughout the whole show at the good puns (and the bad!) and was impressed by the strong quality acting from the leading characters. The show gathered pace as it progressed, culminating in a superbly designed and executed chase scene. Scenery, props and costumes looked good – where did the divine purple wig come from? – and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole show. It did exactly what it said on the tin!

Cara Broadhurst

NODA Review

Saturday 17th January 2004

On Saturday 17th January 2004, I was pleased to be invited to review Shinfield's latest presentation "Cinderella", being the final performance. In all the years I have been reviewing pantomime's, this was probably one of the best I have seen. To start with, the script had been well written and contained characters not normally associated with "Cinderella" but fitted in well with the general format. It had been well cast, all performed within a good setting which had been well lit. The show had a good pace throughout and contained all the necessary ingredients of pantomime. What I particularly liked was that the music appeared to have been written for this particular pantomime which gave more relevance to it, instead of picking snatches of popular tunes which is the general format these days. Congratulations Shinfield on presenting, what I consider to be a truly traditional pantomime. This one must have been good because it actually had me laughing!!

Hannah Bray - (CINDERELLA) - This young lady did exceptionally well with good stage presence. Her characterisation was spot on with good diction and voice projection. Hannah showed an enormous amount of professionalism in the audience participation number by not being thrown by the names given by the primed audience, many other performers would have been completely thrown by this, but Hannah carried it off beautifully - Congratulations on a fine performance.

Jane Hardcastle - (PRINCE CHARMING) - As befits pantomime, the 'Prince' was traditionally played by a lady, and played very well with all the male mannerisms. Jane looked most attractive on stage, moved well and presented a good clear voice so that every word could be heard. Her rapport with 'Cinderella' was very well presented, making them a believable couple - Well done.

Ruth Chapel- (WILLIAM) - This was an additional character in the story of "Cinderella" with the male part being taken by a lady. Ruth did very well in this part, displaying all the necessary mannerisms. Movement about the stage was well controlled and displayed some excellent facial expressions. This was a good characterisation.

Joff Hamilton          - (BELLA)
Jonathan Wansey   - (DONNA) - These two performers were outstanding as the 'Ugly Sisters', extracting all the comedy possible from their individual roles. Diction and voice projection was excellent, with every word being heard at the back of the auditorium. Movement about the stage was first class with a good rapport with the audience as well as other members of the cast - Two excellent performances.

Derek Lockwood - (KING SEPTIMUS) - As the 'hen-pecked' Monarch, Derek gave a very good interpretation of this role. Here was diction of a high order with a good delivery of his well pointed lines, by a member of the cast who certainly knew his way around the Shinfield stage. A good, traditional characterisation - Well done

Marion Hancock - (QUEEN ERMINTRUDE) - As 'the power behind the throne,' Marion got it just right, her domineering  presence was felt by one and all, particularly 'King Septimus'. Here we had good movement, strong body language and good diction - Well done.

Jim Clements - (BARON HARDY) - Here was another member of the cast who entered fully into the performance. Jim's depiction of the 'Baron' could not be faulted, giving a very good account of himself.

Lara Savory - (THE JESTER) - This was another of the additional characters in this pantomime and Lara gave a good portrayal of 'The Jester'. She moved well about the stage area with all the characteristic movements and gestures one associates with this particular type of character. Her diction and projection was good, both in the speaking and singing voice, all enhanced by an excellent costume - Congratulations.

Sherrie Carslake - (FAIRY GODMOTHER) - Although only a minor role in the overall presentation, Sherrie certainly made her presence felt when she appeared. It was nice to see a different dress for this character, it made a change from the sparkly, frothy creations one is normally presented with. Good movement and diction throughout.

Harriet Gwilt & Victoria Donnelly - (MICE) - These two young members did extremely well as the mice, which they portrayed very well. These type of parts are usually non-speaking, which makes it all the more difficult, having to rely on mime to get the character across. Their movements and body language was very mouse-like and well done to both of you.

Katie Gumbrell & Jim Lapthorn - (GREASED LIGHTNING) - These two made only a brief appearance in the performance but they certainly had impact.

Chorus - This was a good chorus which entered fully into the spirit of the show. They sang well with good movement about the stage area. All entrances and exits were spot on and their movement in the choreographic numbers were precise and well danced - Well done.

Peter Ashton - (DIRECTOR) - I believe this was Peter's first foray in directing pantomime and what a good job he made of it ensuring that all facets were incorporated from outrageous characters to slapstick. All principals had been well characterised in their various roles with all performers exhibiting a joy of performing. Staging and movement could not be faulted with good entrances and exits. The pace was very well maintained throughout with good pointing of lines which ensured that all the comedy was brought out - An excellent production.

Anton Gwilt - (MUSICAL DIRECTOR) - Together with Jim Pullen (Bass) and Julian Bown (Drums), this group were excellent, playing sympathetically for the performers and maintaining a good tempo throughout. The positioning of this group on the rostra stage right, enhanced their position so that they became a more integral part of the production. I was particularly impressed with the improvisation, i.e. sound effects, which were synchronised well with the action on stage. Musically the cast appeared well rehearsed in the music, giving an excellent account of themselves and says much for the work of the Chorus Master, Rachel Lockwood - Congratulations.

Choreography - The choreographic routines had been well worked out, they were simplistic, but effective, filling the stage with movement and colour. Dancers appeared to have been well rehearsed with precise movements.

Stage Managers & Crew - A well managed stage with smooth, silent and slick scene changes ensuring good continuity throughout the performance - Well done.

Lighting Design & Operation - A first-class lighting design giving the right atmosphere on stage. Positioning of the lights was excellent, and how nice it is not to see shadows thrown on the scenery. Operation on the night of my visit could not be faulted, with cues well picked up - Congratulations.

Set Design and Construction - This was a good set of scenery which had been well designed and constructed. Decor could not be faulted - Well done.

Properties - All properties had been well thought out and fitted the action on stage. They looked authentic and were suitably pantomime-ish.

Costumes - An excellent selection of costumes. They appeared well fitting, looked clean and well pressed, being suitably outrageous and colourful as befitted a pantomime - Congratulations to the wardrobe department.

Make-up - This aspect appeared to have been applied correctly using the right bases and highlights and which stood up well under the stage lighting. Character make-up had been well devised and the appropriate hair styles had been adopted, all in the pantomime mode.

Programme - Was of the right size. It had an eye-catching cover and contained enough information, although I felt that the inside needed to be laid out better. It would also have been nice to see a synopsis of the scenes.

Front of House - Staff were well in attendance, easily identifiable and welcoming to their audience.

Thank you for inviting me to review your pantomime and for your usual, excellent hospitality. This was a first rate show which has renewed my interest in pantomime. May I wish you all success with your future productions.

Henry Hawes - NODA Representative - Region 13.