REVIEW - You certainly will have a ball at the Wolverhampton Grand's Cinderella - The Bromsgrove Standard

REVIEW - You certainly will have a ball at the Wolverhampton Grand's Cinderella

Bromsgrove Editorial 8th Dec, 2021 Updated: 8th Dec, 2021   0

IT WAS great to be back watching panto again after a two-year gap.

Picture by Tim Thursfield – Express and Star. s

Cinderella at the Wolverhampton Grand was not just my first festive show of the season, it was also my first outing to this fabulous theatre.

You could tell the crowd was glad to have this traditional past-time back and the cast fully indulged us with plenty of audience participation, quick-fire one-liners and slapstick silliness.

In fact it was the latter for me which provided the highlight of the show – a crazy, chaotic rendition of the 12 Days Of Christmas with various outrageous props, some of the audience getting sprayed with super soaker water pistols and a bit of a singalong.




Picture by Tim Thursfield – Express and Star. s

But there were plenty of other great scenes too.

The cast worked well together to tell this classic tale, each of them adding that all-important panto sparkle.


Evie Pickerill was a perfect lovable Cinders who the audience took to their heart and Denise Pearson as the soulful voiced Fairy Godmother was equally as gleaming. The pair combining for the touching ‘A Moment Like This’ was the musical pick of the night.

 

Picture by Tim Thursfield – Express and Star. s

Ella Biddlecombe and Britt Lenting as the ‘lovely’ social influencer sisters Tess and Claudia (the script has been brought up-to-date) had great chemistry together and wonderful camaraderie with the audience. I’m sure even their chosen men – poor Jacob and Anthony picked out by the pair and interacted with everytime they made an entrance – would agree.

Ian Adams was a solid Dame Penny Pockets and Julie Stark earned every one of the multitude of boos she received as the evil Baroness Hardup.

Picture by Tim Thursfield – Express and Star. s

Brothers AJ and Curtis Pritchard worked well together as Prince Charming and Dandini, easily producing the best dynamic dance moments.

But it was Tam Ryan who stole the show as Buttons. He had the Lion’s share of the one-liners, all excellently delivered, carried off the cheeky chappie role with aplomb (almost Peter Kay-esque at times) and had the audience laughing out loud and eating out the palm of his hand.

The set was elaborate and clever, enabling the action to quickly switch between the village, forest and palace and there were plenty of local references relating to Wolverhampton, its posh areas (and its not so posh parts).

When the fairytale ending inevitably came, we had the classic ‘one side of the house against the other’ who can sing the loudest to ‘Sweet Pantomime’ and, of course, the glitzy wedding.

The walkdown had the audience on its feet and after a bit more clapping and dancing, the curtain came down and – even with the remnants of Storm Barras awaiting us outside – we all headed to the exits with that warm feelgood festive feeling.

Whether you are a child, teenager, big kid, mum, dad, grandparent or even a wannabe Fairy Godmother reading this, make sure you get your tickets and go to the ball at the Wolverhampton Grand – you won’t be disappointed.

Cinderella runs until January 9, 2022.

Click here for tickets, times and more information.

 

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