Pantomime fun with Cinderella at the Pavilion
We love Panto in our house and last week I got to see not one, but two local Pantomimes.
The first one was Cinderella at the Pavilion and I took Sebastian to see it with our local pre-school.
Melanie Walters (Gwen from Gavin and Stacey) opened the show as the magical Fairy Godmother and set the scene for show before we were introduced to the rest of the cast.
Dani Harmer (Tracey Beaker) played Cinderella, whilst X-Factor’s Rhydian was a very regal as Prince Charming, but personally it was Noel Brodie and Gary Jordan that stole the show for me as the lovable Buttons and handsome Dandini.
Cinderella wouldn’t be Cinderella without the Ugly Sisters who were played brilliantly by David Ball and Michael Chance. How they managed so many costume changes I will never know and the stocking scene was hilarious, but they were sadly missing a wicked step-mother to “Boo” at.
The show was full of songs with some of this year’s biggest hits, a couple of retro tunes for good measure, which included a brilliantly clever Queen cover – the highlight of the show for me, and a couple of songs that were unknown which sadly didn’t work with the story, although they showcased Rhydian’s magnificent voice.
However, the main problem I had with the show that the cast didn’t really gel and the show dragged. The first half was too long and drawn out, lasting 105 minutes and Sebby wanted to go home in the interval, although the promise of an ice cream persuaded him to stay.
Thankfully the second half picked up pace again and had the audience joining in with silly songs, the ghosty and ghoulie song (always a favourite) and of course the Royal wedding at the end.
It is not the worst pantomime I have seen, but I came away feeling disappointed.
For me it is Aladdin at Lighthouse Poole who has won the battle of the local pantomimes.
Fozia S
I went to a pantomime for the first time last year in our local theatre, Aladdin…. Left disappointed, didn’t wow me and just felt the majority of the jokes were vulgar and aimed at the adults….I always thought pantomimes were for kids but guess I was wrong.
Erica Price
It’s a pity it didn’t quite work – maybe it will improve through the run as they get to know each other better.
Jen Walshaw
I have never been to a pantomime that I really enjoyed. I am so not a fan of slapstick humour and it just makes me cringe. I know that the boys love them!
Cass@frugalfamily
That’s a LONG time for a panto isn’t it? My two would have got bored after half that time and they love pantos x x
Ness
My daughter did Cinderella at school this year and I noticed that the wicked step-mother has been dropped from the cast. It does seem a long time for a pantomine. I can see why the kids were getting a bit bored.
Rachel
To me that does seem like an awfully long time to expect kids to sit and watch something, I am glad a little persuasion got him to stay to see the whole thing though x
Hayley
I love a good pantomime, this looks like such a fun show to watch!
Natalia
I’ve never watched a pantomime, I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy it a lot, maybe they should make it a bit shorter as it’s mainly targeted for children x