Venue: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Dates & Times: 13th December 2018 - 6th January 2019
Tickets: Stalls £29.50, Circle £28.00 Bargain performances - Stalls £23.50, Circle £22.00
Our Verdict
You know Christmas is well and truly on its way when pantomime season begins, and this year’s offering from the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford is Cinderella.
Regulars know what to expect – a madcap, rip-roaring rendition of the story that fully embraces the traditional formula of a British pantomime and this year’s offering doesn’t disappoint.
Everyone’s favourite panto gang is back: Eagle Radio’s Peter Gordon and Nick Barclay return to take on the roles of Cinderella’s Ugly Sisters with ‘Guildford’s favourite Brummie’ Jamie Brook playing the role of Buttons.
Kit Hesketh-Harvey, however, is all confusion - rather than warranting his usual ‘boos’ as a baddie we love to hate, he plays Dandini, the prince’s aid-de-camp (with the emphasis being very much on ‘camp’). As a group that has worked together for more years than they can probably remember they have chemistry galore, delighting the audience with non-stop jokes and banter.
EastEnders star Michelle Gayle joins the cast this year as Fairy Sweetness, Cinderella’s fairy godmother and Georgie Leatherland return after last year’s fabulous stint as ‘Tommie the Cat’ to play an engaging Cinderella, ably supported by her dashing Prince Charming (Cameron Burt).
Jamie Smith returns to write and direct and has surpassed himself in making it feel fresh and new, squeezing in favourites from ‘The Greatest Showman’, as well as a cheeky rendition of ‘Baby Shark’. A particular highlight is the brilliant ‘Wall scene’ which begins as a cheesy duet between Prince Charming and Cinderella, but quickly turns into a hilarious battle for Cinder’s attention by the Prince and Buttons, and culminates in Cinderella giving as good as she gets.
Jamie Brooks can really work an audience, engaging with over-excited children as well as delivering hilarious returns to the odd heckle. Peter Gordon and Nick Barclay are as brilliant as ever as the buxom Ugly Sisters looking for a man (any man!) and sardonic Kit Hesketh-Harvey has the audience in stitches as always, relishing his habit of picking out a victim from the front row: “Debbie from Sutton? Never been there, never will!”
The group’s ‘special’ version of the Twelve Days of Christmas is worth the ticket price alone and elicits even more screams of excitement this year due to Buttons happily flinging custard pie cream all over the audience and brandishing his brand-new weapon – the “Soak-A-Tron”. Beware if your tickets are for the first few rows of stalls.
As for wow factor – how about making some adorable tiny white ponies magically appear to pull Cinderella’s carriage?
So, if you fancy a traditional madcap raucous pantomime, head on over to the Yvonne Arnaud and enjoy Cinderella – it’s simply brilliant family fun.
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