Writer: Paul Hendy
Director: Emily Wood and Gordon Cooper
Panto-goers in Northampton can be sure to have a ball at this year’s Royal & Derngate offering of Cinderella. 
It’s again presented by the now-regular team of Paul Hendy and Emily Wood, also known as Evolution Productions, and as always it’s guaranteed to be family-friendly and welcoming for younger theatre-goers.
It’s the usual bright, colourful, and very funny production with another clever and sophisticated script by Paul Hendy that appeals to both adults and children in the audience. Unlike some pantos which recycle scripts from previous productions, it’s something that’s been developed specifically for this venue and cast so it feels very relevant with the anticipated local references and jokes about individual cast members. Look out too for the now hotly-anticipated pun sequence – this year based around Disney characters, very cleverly weaving together a string of funny and sometimes groan-worthy puns.
Headlining the cast is Joanne Clifton as the Fairy, giving us a different take on the usual Fairy Godmother character. This is a fairy that looks and sounds like a normal human, the sort of person you’d pass in the street and chat with. Clifton is probably best known for her time on Strictly Come Dancing and they milk the connection for all it’s worth, with the well-known Strictly music greeting her every entrance and a steady flow of dance-based rhyming couplets. That being said, the opportunities for her to showcase her dance skills are limited, which is a shame. She’s also a skilled musical theatre performer and it feels as though her talents have been underused in that regard as we know she has a great singing voice.
Being a panto, comedy runs throughout. Comedian Dave Bibby gives us a traditional take on Buttons, showing his stand-up credentials with his jokes and patter. Though he would probably be the first to admit that vocal skills are not his strong point, he delivers his short number relatively well and it’s a minor blip in a good performance. Then we have the Ugly Sisters – though as we’re told, this being a 2024 we shouldn’t make reference to people’s appearance or otherwise stereotype them based on their gender. So, ugly or not, the experienced panto performers Gordon Cooper and Matt Daines give us their take on Aldianna and Lidleena, working the audience with skill and sporting a succession of outrageous and funny costumes designed by Michael J Batchelor. CBeebies favourite Andy Day is here too, as the prince’s sidekick Andini. Day is experienced in this sort of role, making the most of what he’s given to do and working well with both Bibby and Marcellus Whyte (Prince Charming).
A name you may be unfamiliar with, but certainly one to look out for in the future, is Marcavia McCarthy as Cinderella. Often written in panto as almost a minor role here the team have taken full advantage of McCarthy’s talents and given her lots to do. While we may not have heard much of Joanne Clifton’s voice, we certainly get to enjoy McCarthy’s and it’s an absolute pleasure to listen to. Her duets with Whyte’s Prince Charming provide one of many highlights of the show.
The set by Michelle Marden and Stuart Relph is bright and colourful, and choreographer Ebony Clarke has given us some sparking dance routines which are performed well by the adult ensemble and a team of very confident and well-drilled young villagers. Cinderella is only going to the ball until the end of the month, so if you haven’t booked yet you don’t have long – and you’ll be assured of an entertaining production.
Runs until 31 December 2024
The Reviews Hub Score
You'll have a ball
