Cinderella Lighthouse Poole, Review

He’s Behind You!!

Oh no you’re not!

Oh Yes we are!

Three fun phrases that are bound to get the audience shouting and screaming at a pantomime.

This week we were invited to the press night of Cinderella at Lighthouse Poole, and after the success of Duncan Reeves Production of Aladdin last year, I couldn’t wait to see what they had in store for us this year.

The kids, remembering the fun they had last year, were very excited by what was to come and the mood was boosted further by carol singers welcoming us to the theatre.

Just like last years Aladdin, they got the pantomime just right. It is a traditional offering which doesn’t rely too heavily on modern technology, although there is plenty for the kids to relate to.

The pantomime opens with a shower of magical sparks, introducing Lucy Kay as the beautiful Fairy Godmother who makes Cinderella’s dreams come true.

From beginning to end, the pantomime is packed full of song and dance, slapstick humour, audience participation, excellent comic timing – particularly from Jay Worthy and Miles Western as the Ugly Sisters, Ivana and Ivanka, and laughter in bucketloads.

Prince Charming George Beet and Duncan Earlam as Dandini had the kids in stitches as the Prince tried to teach a very West Country sounding Dandini how to talk posh!

Lucy-Jane Quinlan plays Cinderella beautifully and the highlight of the evening was the clever transformation of her rag dress to stunning ball gown and the mice into two adorable ponies pulling her carriage onto the stage.

Hubby and I love Ethan Lawrence in Bad Education, but were not sure about his casting as Buttons before we went, but he had the audience eating out the palm of his hand as the Hardup Hall servant who secretly loves Cinderella but still helps her find romance with the Prince. He also did the audience sing-song at the end which was the same song from last year which my lot LOVE and haven’t stopped singing since they learned it.

How many legs has Daddy Long Legs got……….

For those of us that remember ‘Allo ‘Allo, Richard Gibson (Herr Flick), he is impressive as Cinderella’s dopey but well-meaning father Baron Hardup and there was a brilliant Herr Flick / Yvette moment with Lucy Kay mid-way through the panto.

Of course, like all good pantomimes, there are fun costume changes, Cinderella gets her man and we get a good wedding celebration and sing-song at the end.

Well done Duncan Reeves Productions, cast and crew, you knocked it out the park again.

We LOVED it!!

Cinderella marks the beginning of a new three-year producing partnership between Lighthouse and Duncan Reeves Productions, we cannot wait to see what they do next year!!