Theatre & Dance

Beauty and the beasts

Cinderella at Gorleston Pavilion

It's definitely three cheers for this show which is as near a perfect family production as you'll find. There are those who believe you can’t go far wrong with Cinderella.

True, it’s the most popular of all pantomime stories and one of the oldest, but it still needs to be done well - and this is.

There are lots of reasons why it's so enjoyable but the main one is that it's utterly traditional. It absolutely sticks to the plot.

It's got everything it need,s yet it wraps up in just over two hours which is long enough especially for young children.

The Pavilion adds its own Edwardian charm. There isn’t another Norfolk theatre quite like this. It lends as much warmth and atmosphere to a pantomime as it does to the Old Time Music Hall which is its staple diet in the summer.

Imaginative set

The picture book stage is handsome but small, yet this doesn’t stunt the imagination of designer Ian Westbrook, whose workshop is just around the corner.

He's best known as the designer of the Cromer Pier's summer show and its new winter Seaside Special.

The sets are good but, of course, Cinderella relies on that magical transformation when she heads off to the ball in her crystal coach. This is a breathtaking bit of stagecraft. Coupled with this are some lovely costumes.

Impressive cast

We should count our blessings that we've got something of such high quality on the coast.

Helen McDermott teamed up with top National Theatre actor Desmond Barrit - who could be seen just a few weeks ago in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys at Norwich Theatre Royal - after they were in pantomime together in the city.

The lead cast pauses for applause

They moved to Sheringham Little Theatre where they added Ian Westbrook to the team and then to Gorleston Pavilion last year.

We’re so lucky that people of this calibre are prepared to sink their money into keeping both this tradition and smaller theatres alive.

It’s Helen McDermott who holds the show together as a lollipop lady fairy godmother - don’t ask, but it works. She’s brilliant with the audience and had them eating out of the palm of her hand.

Then there’s Neil Caple as Buttons. Once upon a time he was in the soap opera Brookside. He’s great, and had the crowd totally on his side with his energetic performance.

Desmond Barrit has provided a script which has all the corny jokes yet remains true to the story and pantomime generally.

Nancy Sullivan is lovely as Cinderella and wins our sympathy and support especially when up against the Ugly Sisters played by John Wood and Giles Conneely, who deliver an array of nasty one-lines in a series of outrageous costumes.

Prince Charming is played by Eleanor Firth, while his servant Dandini is Anna Stagg, and there was a confident appearance from this local girl who’s come on so much.

Team work

The cast can sing well and the show is clearly tightening up and improving with every performance. The dancers add a great deal as does musical director John Lindford and percussionist Paul Gregory.

Cinderella gets to go to the ball

Of course, there are people who can’t stand pantomime so they’d better stay away.

And when you get down to it it is all a bit strange. There’s cross dressing, men’s roles played by women, which ends up with two women getting married without a civil partnership in sight!

It all harks back at least two centuries yet we still love this slice of British tradition: booing, hissing and yelling, "He’s behind you!"

As the song goes, 'Long live pantomime.' This rags to riches story in this most charming of theatres is the ideal treat for yourself, your children and grandchildren.