Pantomime time in the capital is always something special but when the New Theatre is celebrating it’s 118th Birthday you just know it’s going to be beyond spectacular. So, when we went along to CINDERELLA, on the very night the theatre marked it’s big occasion, we had really high expectations for what we were about to see.
I can tell you now, and could quite easily bring this review to a close here, the show is mind-blowing in every respect. The set, music, laughs, and the most incredible end to a first half you’re ever likely to see anywhere, left us all in awe of this show and incredibly proud we have it right here in South Wales.
Which is where we want to begin our review. We spoke to members of the audience after the performance along with some of the cast who, as you can see, are rightly filled with pride at delivering such a great night…..
Cinderella really is a tale as old as time, having first been told in 7 BC and AD 23 (I know, we had to look it up as well). The story has seen many incarnations and revivals but what we had on stage last night was the one we all know and love, with a modern twist.
The magic begins with Fairy Godmother (STEPHANIE WEBBER) appearing in a flash of light to get our story underway. It’s then we meet our ‘star-crossed lovers‘ Cinderella (DENQUAR CHUPAK) and Prince Charming (GETHIN JONES). We see them but they haven’t got to the part where they meet, fall in love and – well, you know how the story goes.
Stephanie and Denquar are pantomime regulars at the New Theatre along with fan favourite MIKE DOYLE (Baroness Voluptua Fortuna), yes, a baddie this time around but all the things we love about mike in Panto are still there. Mike has appeared in the theatre for more years than we care to remind him of, but every time he is fresh, funny and fantastic with both the audience and cast.
There’s another Cardiff face is in his first panto role as Dandini. Radio 2 regular, weather presenter and pretty darn good drummer OWAIN WYN EVANS, fills Dandini’s shoes perfectly and brings a fresh feel to the traditional switcheroo role with our handsome Prince.
Another new face to Cardiff is comedian JACK RYAN as Buttons. This is also Jack’s first panto, not that you’ve ever know. He gives a polished performance as the ‘cheeky chappy‘ who doesn’t get the girl. We were all really impressed with how he stood shoulder to shoulder with Mike and how well the pair of them worked together. It takes a generous comic to allow another performer to shine so brightly, and Mike Doyle is certainly that.
The step-sisters, Tess and Claudia (yes, it took us a moment to get the Gethin/Strictly link) are played by LUCY ELSON and JALISA PHOENIX ROBERTS.
Our Meet the Cast Special is HERE.
It’s sometimes easy to forget how brilliant the orchestra are, as they’re in the pit out of sight. The cast though make occasional references to them, and under the Musical Direction of MICHAEL MORWOOD are as much a part of this show as those we see on stage.
The musical numbers are all sung perfectly, with a few untraditional pantomime songs thrown in for good measure. No spoilers here but the ‘romantic‘ moment between Cinderella and the Prince moves quickly from sweet to hilarious as Buttons gets his head stuck into the action, it really is a fantastic routine.
This year’s show is sprinkled with some lovely surprises, and a great twist on the tale. The number which bring the first half to a close is that mind-blowing moment which will leave you breathless. Without saying too much, this is a magical horse and carriage ride like no other. I promise you’ll talk about it for the rest of the day.
While the panto isn’t Welsh as such, it felt more Wales than ever, with a strong cast who brought their national success onto the Cardiff stage. This is also reflected in a lot of the script and routines, which are sprinkled with local references and more than a few Welsh props.
There are two routines in the production which have become staples of a New Theatre Pantomime. The Tongue Twister’ involving Mike, Owain and Jack. Fraught with vocal terror and guaranteed to make the cast slip up, at least once (as Mike Doyle when you see him).
The end routine, and something we’ve all come to know and love, is the very traditional ‘Twelve Days of Christmas‘ performed by Gethin, Mike, Owain and Jack. It is beautifully choreographed with the perfect amount of shambolic ‘ad-libbed’ fun from the four of them.
The sets, which took a long time to get into the theatre, are enormous, truly spectacular, filling every inch of the stage with glitz and glamour and with superb lighting, you really are whisked away to the most magical of festive shows.
You really will have a ball at Cinderella a pantomime for everyone in the family, of all ages. This is how we like our festive shows, fun, funny, magical, musical and bloomin’ brilliant.
CINDERELLA is at the New Theatre in Cardiff right through to Sunday 5th January 2025. There are lots of performances and prices, from £25 to £48, but a little word of advice, they do tend to fill up very quickly. For more details and tickets go HERE.
