REVIEW
CINDERELLA
Palace Theatre, Westcliff from the 19th to 22nd January 2023
CINDERELLA
Palace Theatre, Westcliff from the 19th to 22nd January 2023
Christmas is over and panto season is done - "Oh no it isn't!" we hear The Wednesday Players cry. For those who are unaware, The Wednesday Players have been putting on shows and pantos just outside of the Christmas season since 1972 and this year is certainly no exception.
Cinderella has always been a firm panto favourite and last year's Cliff's Pavilion production with Brian Conley was such a huge success, The Wednesday Players even managed to snag him for a cameo in their version....*coughs* sort of.
The best thing about this production is that it is family orientated through and through. It was written and directed by Josh Sweeting and Charlie Hine. Charlie's theatrical roots branch back to his grandparents, Joe and Meg, who established the group and his parents, Liz and Lee, have also been stalwarts of the Players; and so with all that theatrical blood running through the family's veins, it was pretty inevitable that the performing talents would continue to blossom down the generations.
The Wednesday Players' production of Cinderella takes us back to true traditional pantomime values, with plenty of thigh slapping and slapstick with characters the kids will know from the Cinderella fairytale and pantos of old.
The show is full of popular numbers that will entertain young and old - I'm So Excited, Money Money Money , True, Mambo No 5, The Greatest Showman and It Must Be Love are all in there and given the panto twist, accompanied with some simple but effective dance routines from the whole company. The set and costumes also look fabulous. I love that everyone in the company plays a part and I did giggle at the old fellas' banter throughout.
Emma Stephens is a super Cinders alongside Alice Gough as Prince Charming.
Sydney Robins is a natural narrator and Fairy Godmother; and the Ugly Sisters do a great turn in the form of the grotesque Melania and Ivanka played perhaps a bit too well by Ian Scoging and Simon Kinsler, who seem to fall into the roles perhaps a little too well with some expert comedy timing in places.
I also loved the 5 scullery mice played by Ava Kinsler, Rebecca Bundock, Sophie Terry, Frankie Lamberti and Blossom Curtis who all really give their characters a unique style with lots of humour and gumption that left the audience giggling away at their antics. Always Look On the Bright Side of Life was a real hoot.
Buttons has always been at the forefront of any Cinderella pantomime and Melissa Thomson takes on this role fantastically well. Having the job of whipping up the crowd, as well as being able to emanate pathos towards their plight of really wanting to be Cinderella's beau, is no easy task but Melissa is a delight. She also has the enviable task of being the keeper of the 'actual' chocolate buttons that get thrown out to the audience - another panto tradition that seems to have been given the kibosh thanks to the 'pc' parade. Oh, the anticipation of actually catching a packet!
The story follows Cinderella and the Prince as they attempt to reunite after their chance meeting in the village and as the Fairy Godmother makes her wishes come true culminating in a fab song and dance number, Come Alive from The Greatest Showman at the end of Act 1.
The action continues in Act 2 with the famous ballroom scene given the Mambo No 5 treatment with some great turns from the company, and Cinders and the Prince managing to sneak off for a song and dance which ends, of course, in Cinderella dashing off home before the midnight deadline and losing her shoe. Will the Prince ever be able to find the girl whose foot fits the slipper? Will the baddies be thwarted and will everyone find their true loves?
The Wednesday Players' Cinderella panto certainly doesn't disappoint. This is as traditional a panto as you will find, with lots of laughs and giggles along the way proving that you don't have to spend a fortune to be entertained. There were children as young as 2 years old in the audience on opening night who were being thoroughly entertained alongside mums, dads, grannies and grandads.
If the January blues are getting you down, pop along to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff for a final hit of panto fun and silliness - you won't be disappointed.
Review: Kim Tobin
Cinderella is on at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff from the 19th to 22nd January 2023
Tickets are from £17 and can be purchased now at a discount in advance by sending an email to the groups’ Treasurer: [email protected] up until 19th December, or by visiting: southendtheatres.org.uk
Cinderella has always been a firm panto favourite and last year's Cliff's Pavilion production with Brian Conley was such a huge success, The Wednesday Players even managed to snag him for a cameo in their version....*coughs* sort of.
The best thing about this production is that it is family orientated through and through. It was written and directed by Josh Sweeting and Charlie Hine. Charlie's theatrical roots branch back to his grandparents, Joe and Meg, who established the group and his parents, Liz and Lee, have also been stalwarts of the Players; and so with all that theatrical blood running through the family's veins, it was pretty inevitable that the performing talents would continue to blossom down the generations.
The Wednesday Players' production of Cinderella takes us back to true traditional pantomime values, with plenty of thigh slapping and slapstick with characters the kids will know from the Cinderella fairytale and pantos of old.
The show is full of popular numbers that will entertain young and old - I'm So Excited, Money Money Money , True, Mambo No 5, The Greatest Showman and It Must Be Love are all in there and given the panto twist, accompanied with some simple but effective dance routines from the whole company. The set and costumes also look fabulous. I love that everyone in the company plays a part and I did giggle at the old fellas' banter throughout.
Emma Stephens is a super Cinders alongside Alice Gough as Prince Charming.
Sydney Robins is a natural narrator and Fairy Godmother; and the Ugly Sisters do a great turn in the form of the grotesque Melania and Ivanka played perhaps a bit too well by Ian Scoging and Simon Kinsler, who seem to fall into the roles perhaps a little too well with some expert comedy timing in places.
I also loved the 5 scullery mice played by Ava Kinsler, Rebecca Bundock, Sophie Terry, Frankie Lamberti and Blossom Curtis who all really give their characters a unique style with lots of humour and gumption that left the audience giggling away at their antics. Always Look On the Bright Side of Life was a real hoot.
Buttons has always been at the forefront of any Cinderella pantomime and Melissa Thomson takes on this role fantastically well. Having the job of whipping up the crowd, as well as being able to emanate pathos towards their plight of really wanting to be Cinderella's beau, is no easy task but Melissa is a delight. She also has the enviable task of being the keeper of the 'actual' chocolate buttons that get thrown out to the audience - another panto tradition that seems to have been given the kibosh thanks to the 'pc' parade. Oh, the anticipation of actually catching a packet!
The story follows Cinderella and the Prince as they attempt to reunite after their chance meeting in the village and as the Fairy Godmother makes her wishes come true culminating in a fab song and dance number, Come Alive from The Greatest Showman at the end of Act 1.
The action continues in Act 2 with the famous ballroom scene given the Mambo No 5 treatment with some great turns from the company, and Cinders and the Prince managing to sneak off for a song and dance which ends, of course, in Cinderella dashing off home before the midnight deadline and losing her shoe. Will the Prince ever be able to find the girl whose foot fits the slipper? Will the baddies be thwarted and will everyone find their true loves?
The Wednesday Players' Cinderella panto certainly doesn't disappoint. This is as traditional a panto as you will find, with lots of laughs and giggles along the way proving that you don't have to spend a fortune to be entertained. There were children as young as 2 years old in the audience on opening night who were being thoroughly entertained alongside mums, dads, grannies and grandads.
If the January blues are getting you down, pop along to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff for a final hit of panto fun and silliness - you won't be disappointed.
Review: Kim Tobin
Cinderella is on at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff from the 19th to 22nd January 2023
Tickets are from £17 and can be purchased now at a discount in advance by sending an email to the groups’ Treasurer: [email protected] up until 19th December, or by visiting: southendtheatres.org.uk
Family Pantomime – It’s in the Genes
The Wednesday Players are a local amateur theatre group, who will be returning to the Palace Theatre in January performing their version of ‘Cinderella,’ written and directed by Charlie Hine and Joshua Sweeting.
Above: Josh and Charlie
Below: the cast in rehearsal
Photos: Claire Curtis
Below: the cast in rehearsal
Photos: Claire Curtis