In-house panto hits on a winning formula
Cinderella Preston Charter Theatre
It's a case of first time lucky for Preston Guild Hall Charter Theatre's debut pantomime production.
Having taken the show entirely in house for the first ever time, producer Chris Haylett (general manager of the entertainment complex) and writer/director Ted Robbins (Les Dawson lookalike and Radio Lancashire presenter) have come up with a winner.
They've also made a real discovery in leading lady Jodie Hamblet. All too often these days the role of Cinders is given to a pretty blonde with less vocal talent than her ugly sisters but here they've discovered a pretty blonde who could have sung her way into Prince Charming's heart without the need of a glass slipper and a fairy godmother (in this case Poulton's Sally Naden – here vying for young attention most of the time alongside children's favourite Fifi – voiced by Jane Horrocks and played by Rebecca Donner).
Torchwood and Dr Who actor Gareth David-Lloyd settles for nice but dim Prince which must leave Matthew Ganley's streetwise Dandini wondering why he doesn't get the girl in the end. Blackpool's own glam Betty Legs Diamond (aka Simon Green) plays ugly sister Prada like a man wondering why his Funny Girls audience has suddenly grown so much younger whereas cohort Keith De'Winter as sibling Primark is more traditionally less fair of face.
Little known Gareth Kirkbright isn't the most convincing of Buttons But Ted Robbins and his catalogue of familiar one liners is rarely far from bailing out any weaker moments.
Guild Hall Search for a Star talent show winner Anthony Clegg fits in well as the Royal Page – particularly when the usual ball scene is substituted for a The Prince Has Got Talent scene – and Lytham's Rainbow dance Studio teacher Katy Reynolds provides the lively choreography.
Throw in a live three piece band, a pair of real Shetland ponies, a handful of well suited contemporary songs and the obligatory television and radio references and it looks like a winning formula.
Robin Duke
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
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