(seen at the performance on 16th January 2025)
Thanks to the monkey’s insanely busy holiday season schedule, it only managed to catch this seasonal offering at the final performance. It was worth every moment of the struggle.
As the restive (too) young children in the row in front attest, this is a treat for slightly more mature minds.
From the moment the curtain rises to reveal Tom Pye’s grim mansion projection, which vanishes to reveal an even grimmer interior, we are captivated.
Ethereal Cinderella (Sarah Lamb) is remembering better times, dusting around her two oafish step-sisters (Thomas Whitehead, Valentino Zucchetti) as they tussle over a scarf and seek attention from their terrified step-father (Harry Churches).
Hilarity ensues as a Dancing Master (Giacomo Rovero) prepares the unlikely duo for the ball. To be able to dance that badly is quite a feat for both, but it is an amusement which heightens later as Lamb imitates them for a few steps.
Noticeably, whenever the ugly sisters time something correctly, matching their movements exactly to the musical note and action around them, they raise the most laughter. A split-second off, less so. Fortunately, with their timing tightening with every comedic step, the rhythm and laughter firmly establishes itself.
Amid the preening, an old woman is dismissed - except by Cinderella, who finds a loaf for her. Sound move: Fairy Godmother (Melissa Hamilton) is about to change her life.
In a wonderfully conceived Alexandra Byrne gown with wings, Hamilton delights at every appearance. Summoned by her, the four seasons endow Cinderella with their gifts in sweet individual performances, before a magical coach arrives to sweep her to the ball.
Second act, we meet the expressive Jester (Liam Boswell) our labrador-level-excited guide to the Society event of the year. Friends and suitors mix, and we are treated to all degrees of relationship success or not – particularly not, in the case of the sisters. Terrifyingly socially inept, but with some spot-on clowning to make up for it.
Of course, Cinderella meets her prince (Steven McRae) and the chemistry between them is instant and perfectly expressed. His later despair as she departs early is heartbreaking, other guests failing to understand fully his misery in their reactions.
The opening of the third act rather explains why. It turns out that many of the couples had more to deal with. Think “day after the school disco” and you are about there. About two couples seem happy as they pass across the stage. The rest, well, harsh truths are delivered.
Back in bleak house, the Prince arrives to continue his search, the glittering shoe test is applied, and the lovers find each other. The most visually delightful scenes unfold as balletic moves reach an absolute pinnacle from Lamb, McRae and Hamilton.
The Palladium Panto team could learn a lot from the stunning staging, light, choreography, setting and emotional pitch reached as the happy couple end by moving toward an enchanted staircase and the curtain falls.
A tale as old as time (roots in Greek mythology, according to the programme), told simply with the highest skills applied in every aspect, this is magic fitting the evening to perfection.
5 stars.