REVIEW: Cinderella: Bournemouth Pavilion

By Jeremy Miles

WHAT a sizzling seasonal production this show is. Cinderella may be the ultimate rags to riches story but getting this bittersweet tear-jerker absolutely right can be harder than it looks.

This production is spot on. From the moment the curtain goes up it spells out its magic and then builds momentum.

Bringing the brilliant Ugly Sisters out early really sets the scene. David Ball and Michael Chance are superb as Daisy and Violet Hardup. Their mean-minded malevolence towards sweet, innocent stepsister Cinderella, played by Dani Harmer of Tracy Beaker and Strictly Come Dancing fame, is hilarious. Almost as funny as their outrageous costumes. But you only laugh because they’re so ludicrous they can’t possibly win.

Noel Brodie is excellent as Buttons, the cheeky chappy with a heart of gold, who protects Cinderella and, even though he loves her himself, helps her find romance with Prince Charming played in fine voice by one-time X-Factor finalist Rhydian.

Meanwhile Melanie Walters, best known as Gwen from TV’s Gavin and Stacey, is a compelling Fairy Godmother. There are strong performances too from Gary Jordan as the Prince’s valet Dandini and David Alcock as Cinderella’s stoney-broke dad Baron Hardup.

With plenty of audience participation, a welter of local name-checks woven into the script and a magical carriage pulled by real Shetland ponies there really is something for all the family. Where else could you be steeped in traditional pantomime one minute and be watching a entire theatre going bananas to the Black Lace Superman song the next?

This fun panto, sponsored by Hot Rocks Restaurant and raising money for the Julia’s House children’s hospice, runs at Bournemouth Pavilion until Monday January 2.

Jeremy Miles