Just when you thought that the Hawth Theatre Crawley pantomime couldn’t get any better, along comes this year’s spectacularly classy production, Cinderella. From the moment that the Fairy appears in a huge puff of smoke, right through to the wonderfully golden wedding finale, the show is a cavalcade of all that is best in the world of pantomime.
The traditional opening village scene is where we first meet Cinders and the villagers, who dance their way through the opening number with split second precision. In the first of many unexpected twists that make this production unique, there is no Baron Hardup, just his two “gorgeous” daughters!
Riding electric powered motor bikes (very eco friendly), Adlianna (Michael J Batchelor) and Lidleena (George Akid) arrive wearing the first in a series of outrageous outfits. Having just arrived from France, they are dressed for the beach – and it’s not a pretty sight!! In no time at all they decide to hunt out their (shared) boyfriend for the evening. At this point I realise that my seat in the 2nd row, which affords me a perfect view of the stage, also affords Aldi and Lidl (as they are affectionately known), a perfect view of me – so I am the “boyfriend” for the rest of the show.
Buttons is played by Hawth Theatre regular, Richard Franks, who makes a joke of the fact that he is returning in another new role, while the audience cheer and clap loudly to show how much they are pleased that he is back again. His rapport with the audience is text book perfect and, with very little effort, he soon has both children and adults singing along.
Matthew Lawrence, as Prince Charming, and CBeebies TV Presenter Nigel Clarke, as his man-servant Dandini, are both very believable in their roles and, as they are both good looking guys, the scene where they decide to swap identities works well. Lawrence shows off some very adept vocal chords throughout the show, while Clarke shows off some nifty dance moves at the Prince’s Ball.
While talking about dance moves, special mention should go to Joshua Clayton, Dennis Cousins, Jack Davis, Effie Rae Dyson, Elle Crees and Nicole Reeves who provide spectacularly complex and intricately choreographed dance backing in almost every musical scene. Their costume changes are as slick as their dancing and it’s very obvious that they all love appearing in the show.
Lucy-Jane Quinlan, as Cinderella, holds the stage very well. Her combination of charm and vulnerability works well and the whole audience are firmly behind her in her tussles with her evil step-sisters. The traditional act one finale “transformation scene” when Cinderella gets to go to the ball is very well executed, with a very quick, centre stage, costume change from rags to ballgown for Cinders.
Holding court over proceedings is Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt, who is very endearing as the trainee Fairy, desperate to get things right this time and finally earn her magic wand. She avoids too many references to the show that propelled her to fame, and concentrates on delivering her rhyming couplets and developing her character as the evening unfolds. She is helped along by a video performance from the fabulous Paul O’Grady as her Fairy Supervisor.
The Hawth Theatre, in partnership with Evolution Productions, is always the theatre of choice for the best of the local pantomime stars, the most amazing array of superb costumes, jokes that are delivered with surgical precision, song and dance numbers that really hit the spot and a show that can always be relied on as a safe bet for a brilliant pantomime experience for the whole family, so it is no surprise that the expectation and anticipation of next years pantomime, Peter Pan, is already at fever pitch.
***** Five Stars