A new team of young directors – Karen McMurdo and Bev Southall fully deserved the accolade they received with their first efforts of directing a musical. It is great to see young people taking the helm and delivering such excellent entertainment. This piece is not a pantomime in the true sense of the word; it is a romantic musical with magical score, transporting one for a short time to fantasy land.

Following her portrayal of Nancy in Oliver, Hannah Wilson coped well with the change of character and was just right for the title role of Cinderella – lovely rendering of ‘In My Own Little Corner’. Julie Breakwell gave us an authorative Stepmother whilst her quarreling daughters, Joy and Portia played by Teresa Fawcett and Freya Rowlands respectively, pulled out all the stops giving Cinderella a hard time. Their ‘Stepsisters’ Lament’ in Act II was memorable.

Mike Clarke took regal command as The King and Gaenor James as his Queen, gave the production a right royal flavour, whilst Richard Jones was well cast as Prince Charming. Chris Clarke never fails to please and she was perfect in her portrayal of Godmother. Her rapport and duets with Cinderella – ‘Impossible’ and later ‘It’s Possible’ were well received. I particularly liked the Transformation Scene towards the end of Act 1 and also the Ballroom Scene in Act 11 where costumes blended beautifully.

A happy ending? Of course, which is just what we need in this day and age. Thank you so much for your most generous hospitality and I look forward to this enterprising company’s High Society and the world premiere of the musical Lorna Doone in 2010.

Reviewed by Lynn Emmerson

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