REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
CINDERELLA
THE FAIRY GODMOTHER OF ALL PANTOS
CLIFFS PAVILION, SOUTHEND
MONDAY 13 DECEMBER 2021 - SUNDAY 2 JANUARY 2022
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
CINDERELLA
THE FAIRY GODMOTHER OF ALL PANTOS
CLIFFS PAVILION, SOUTHEND
MONDAY 13 DECEMBER 2021 - SUNDAY 2 JANUARY 2022
After being so cruelly deprived of panto last year because of the dreaded pandemic, what an absolute joy it is to be able to watch 'the fairy godmother of all pantos’, Cinderella, playing at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion now and right up until Sunday 2nd January 2022.
It’s been 6 years since we last saw Cinderella at the Cliffs Pavilion. Brian Conley returns reprising his role as Buttons and is joined once again by Lauren Hall as the perfect Cinderella and Matthew Goodgame playing the hunky Prince Charming. Matthew Malthouse joins the cast playing a delightful Dandini. As well as giving fabulous performances, they all provide some amazing vocals in every number.
Audiences will not be disappointed with this pantomime, starting as it means to go on with Southend’s very own Jenny Gayner taking on the role of the beautiful fairy godmother, who literally floats in at the top of the show and sets her sights on making sure that Cinderella gets to the Ball and into the arms of Prince Charming. Of course there are a few setbacks along the way, not least by those naughty Ugly Sisters, Tess and Claudia, played by Ben Stock and Neal Wright who look just fabulous bedecked in a plethora of outstandingly outrageous outfits and making a squillion costume changes.
It’s been 6 years since we last saw Cinderella at the Cliffs Pavilion. Brian Conley returns reprising his role as Buttons and is joined once again by Lauren Hall as the perfect Cinderella and Matthew Goodgame playing the hunky Prince Charming. Matthew Malthouse joins the cast playing a delightful Dandini. As well as giving fabulous performances, they all provide some amazing vocals in every number.
Audiences will not be disappointed with this pantomime, starting as it means to go on with Southend’s very own Jenny Gayner taking on the role of the beautiful fairy godmother, who literally floats in at the top of the show and sets her sights on making sure that Cinderella gets to the Ball and into the arms of Prince Charming. Of course there are a few setbacks along the way, not least by those naughty Ugly Sisters, Tess and Claudia, played by Ben Stock and Neal Wright who look just fabulous bedecked in a plethora of outstandingly outrageous outfits and making a squillion costume changes.
With stunning scenery, a fabulous ensemble giving us some cracking dance routines and a script oozing with laughter and cheesiness, this year’s panto was always going to be a winner.
There are notably some great original songs too - the Southend song at the beginning of the show was definitely an ear worm for the rest of the evening and could well be a contender for a ‘Southend City’ anthem.
Star of the show, Brian Conley, has always been hugely popular - can you believe that he’s been in show biz for almost 50 years now - and he certainly doesn’t disappoint. As a comedian, Conley is an absolute master of his art and just like a naughty school boy, looks as though he is having just as much fun up on stage as we are watching him in the audience.
We all know that pantomimes are predominantly for the kids and there’s tons of fun and laughter to be had for the little ones with plenty of slapstick and A LOT of fart jokes (I dare anyone not to laugh at a fart joke), but allow me to let you in to a little secret…this panto is actually going to be an absolute favourite with the mums and dads. Grown ups will be howling with some rather near the knuckle adult humour and downright silliness. Yes, some of the jokes are old, yes, I imagine a lot of the kids have no idea who Dangerous Brian (Buttons) is, yet Conley still manages to hilariously get away with it. The only other comedian I can think of who could have people in stitches in the same way was that comedy genius, Tommy Cooper.
Star of the show, Brian Conley, has always been hugely popular - can you believe that he’s been in show biz for almost 50 years now - and he certainly doesn’t disappoint. As a comedian, Conley is an absolute master of his art and just like a naughty school boy, looks as though he is having just as much fun up on stage as we are watching him in the audience.
We all know that pantomimes are predominantly for the kids and there’s tons of fun and laughter to be had for the little ones with plenty of slapstick and A LOT of fart jokes (I dare anyone not to laugh at a fart joke), but allow me to let you in to a little secret…this panto is actually going to be an absolute favourite with the mums and dads. Grown ups will be howling with some rather near the knuckle adult humour and downright silliness. Yes, some of the jokes are old, yes, I imagine a lot of the kids have no idea who Dangerous Brian (Buttons) is, yet Conley still manages to hilariously get away with it. The only other comedian I can think of who could have people in stitches in the same way was that comedy genius, Tommy Cooper.
Essentially there is something for everyone here; song, dance, magic, illusions, glitter, glam and lots and lots of laughter. It’s exactly what we all need right now to get us in the Christmas spirit.
Supported by a superb tech team and great sounding band led by MD, David Lane this is one slick production.
Essex theatregoers shall go to the ball this Christmas as Cinderella transforms from rags to riches, outwits her very Ugly Sisters, and with the help of her hilarious friend, Buttons and one very magical Fairy Godmother, wins the heart of the dashing Prince Charming.
Grab your tickets quick - once the word gets out, you definitely won’t want to miss this Ball!
Review: Kim Tobin
Supported by a superb tech team and great sounding band led by MD, David Lane this is one slick production.
Essex theatregoers shall go to the ball this Christmas as Cinderella transforms from rags to riches, outwits her very Ugly Sisters, and with the help of her hilarious friend, Buttons and one very magical Fairy Godmother, wins the heart of the dashing Prince Charming.
Grab your tickets quick - once the word gets out, you definitely won’t want to miss this Ball!
Review: Kim Tobin
FOR TICKETS GO TO www.southendtheatres.org.uk