Book and lyrics by
Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Richard
Rodgers
Directed by Hannah
McFadden and Justin Watson
Ickle Pickle
Productions
Belconnen Theatre 9 –
24 January, 201
Review by Len Power 9
January 2015
‘Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ started life as a
television production in 1957, starring Julie Andrews fresh from her success in
‘My Fair Lady’ and long before her subsequent film career. The stage version we see now has grown and
changed from the original TV show with songs added from the Rodgers and
Hammerstein archives. Several of the
songs had actually been written for other shows like ‘South Pacific’ and
‘Oklahoma!’ but not used. A curious
later addition is the song ‘The Sweetest Sounds’, which was a highlight of
Richard Rodgers musical without the late Oscar Hammerstein, ‘No Strings’ from
the 1960s. The score overall does seem
cobbled together with no sense of its own identity, unlike the top drawer
Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals.
In spite of that, the directors of this production, Hannah
McFadden and Justin Watson, have produced a sparkling and enjoyable
entertainment. The unexpectedly worldly
script gives cast members some great funny lines which will amuse adults while
the children will enjoy the colourful spectacle on the simple but eye-catching
set by Steve Galinec and Anita Davenport which owes a lot to Disney artwork.
There are some nice performances amongst the large
cast. Adellene Fitzsimmons and Pip
Carroll give us a classically appealing Cinderella and Prince Christopher. Ben Hardy steals the show with a very funny
performance as Lionel, the Royal Steward.
Amy Jenkins as the nasty Stepmother and Risa Craig and Holly Ross as
Cinderella’s stepsisters deliver some of the best funny lines in the show with
great comic timing. Risa Craig’s
physical comedy ability was especially notable.
The large ensemble sing and dance confidently and the
choreography by Hannah McFadden, while simple, works very well. The costumes designed by Janette Humphrey and
produced by a large team were colourful and captured the necessary style and
period of the show.
Musical director, Susan Davenport, has done fine work with
her singers. There was some unevenness
in the voices of some of the principals on opening night but overall, it was
quite pleasing musically. The cast are
singing to a pre-recorded orchestra which can often give a flatness to the
sound of a show but, in this case, the arrangements were appealing and it
wasn’t a problem.
The directors have produced a nicely staged show which
should appeal to adults and children alike.
There are many comic moments happening around the stage that you need to
be quick to catch. It all adds up to an
enjoyable evening at the theatre. They
even have a chandelier, too!
Originally broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Dress Circle’ showbiz program
with Bill Stephens on Sunday 11 January 2015 from 5pm.