Cinderella

WHETHER YOU'RE TRAVELLING BY PUMPKIN CARRIAGE, CAR OR TRAM, MAGIC YOURSELF TO CINDERELLA AS FAST AS YOU CAN!

People of Mancunia, you shall go to the ball, so grab your family and friends and head on over to Cinderella at the Opera House Manchester for a fun filled festive feast.  Every year I say this panto can’t get any better, and every year it does!  It always gives me the final push into abandoning real life and fully committing myself to all things Christmas, whole heartedly indulging in becoming a big kid again for just a few hours.  The Opera House becomes a palpable beacon of bouncing happiness and it is utterly infectious, providing a joy I am more than happy to catch.  Bringing back our panto favourite and Manchester Christmas tradition, we have Ben Nickless who once again teams up with Jason Manford for a fabulous third year in a row, and Myra DuBois for the second year.  These three certainly draw in the crowds and they deliver in every imaginable way.  I can’t believe how lucky we are in Manchester to have this line up once again, so I’m sending thanks to the panto gods in the form of jazz hands and sparkles!

In our Mancunian version of the story, Cinderella is studying to be a Royal Advisor in the town of Mancunia when her poor Father never makes it home from his travels after marrying new wife Baroness Myra Fortuna.  Along with her daughters Vindicta and Manipulata (the Wicked Sisters), they keep Cinderella so busy that she barely has time recognise The Prince when she bumps into him.  He is being pressured into marrying and making something of his life, and so it seems inevitably simple that they will find their happily ever after with each other.  But the Fortuna family have other plans and Baroness Myra is determined that one of them will instead marry The Prince and become Royalty.  However, Cinderella has something they don’t – friends, and people who are rooting for her.  Armed with best friend Buttons and her fairy Godmother, magic, friendship and love win the day. 

Our Manchester Opera House Panto has a tried and tested formula that not only works exquisitely but is so beautifully malleable that it always appears fresh and new, yet familiar and secure at the same time.  We are always welcomed with a gloriously glittery curtain donning the name of the show, and the moment I see this, the excitement kicks in.  The show does not disappoint by once again beginning with a big musical opening number, this time with a song courtesy of the show Prom, where we are whisked into a charming frenzy of delight as colourful costumes whisk around the bejewelled stage and the theatre is filled with dancing projections of shoes, crowns and magic!  We are then greeted with our Manchester panto favourite Ben Nickless as Buttons who immediately cranks up the fun factor with his antics, jokes, and addictive charisma.  Always expect the unexpected here, and do not be surprised to find sweets, water guns, hosepipes and toilet rolls being flung your way as he shares the goods from his new job this year, as a ‘Just Eat’ delivery worker.  Next up, we have Jason Manford as Prince Charming bursting onto the stage, beguiling us with his rich rendition of “I Just Haven’t Met You Yet,” before cracking open the lid of his comedy box of genius and wowing us with a mini stand up routine based around ‘dad jokes’ – a topic expertly chosen as something all ages can relate to from their own perspective.  Then we have Myra DuBois as Baroness Fortuna who both tantalises and terrifies those in the front few rows, for she will find you and roast you!  Tonight, her beloved chosen one was Gary, who handled the spotlight with a fabulous humour and energy.  We meet the remaining main cast of outstanding talent, including Wendy Mae Brown as the Fairy Godmother, Sarah Vaughan as Cinderella, and Liz Carney and Chloe Chesworth as the Wicked Sisters, each bringing their own brand of brilliance to the show.

There are plenty of opportunities for the audience to get stuck in, including welcoming Nickless, Manford and DuBois with their own greeting every time they appear on stage.  A fabulously funny routine between Buttons, Prince Charming and Cinderella that juxtaposes a serious moment of blossoming love against slapstick physical comedy had the audience roaring with laughter, and left me with the upmost respect for the energy needed for this piece.  All I will say is that you’ll never see or hear Bryan Adam’s “Everything I do” the same again!  The concept may have seemed simple, but the execution was not and they absolutely nailed it!  And of course, if you have been to the Opera House panto before, then you’ll know that there is always the most magical finale to the first act that will leave you wide eyed, agog, and mesmerised.  I have to say, this moment in Cinderella was beyond impressive and I suddenly found myself crying with an unfiltered wonder and an overflow of impassioned emotion!  The illusion is spectacular and had fully grown adults gasping in awe and perhaps believing in magic!

The second half was just as jam packed as the first, and included impressions, audience participation, and bringing children onto the stage to star in a featured role as the whole theatre rousingly sang ‘The Music Man’.  Another featured favourite that made a welcomed return was the routine between Nickless and Manford as they try to sing a song together, with Nickless always ruining it by singing ‘in the gap’.  However, just as you think you know exactly what to expect, they tip it upside down and create an entirely new routine that has the audience eating out of the palm of their hand.  I really wish these two would do a tour together.  This kind of family variety is so rare and they are absolute naturals and have such a natural warmth together which always wholeheartedly includes the audience.  This type of entertainment is like gold dust nowadays.

We always have scenes with the comedic team together, usually providing a variant on a panto classic.  Tonight was no exception as we had Jason Manford, Ben Nickless and Myra DuBois brought together in a titillating tongue twisting scene that involved a manky lanky wonky donkey!  What I love about this trio is that they truly share the stage in equal rights and respect each others unique brand of hilarity.  Ben Nickless is allowed to shine in this scene amongst two other huge named comedians, and you cheer him on every step of the way.

Music plays a huge role in Cinderella, and with songs ranging from musicals such as Prom, to rockers such as Queen and Bryan Adams, and popular music such as Michael Bublé and Ed Sheeran, there really is something for everyone.  And boy can this cast sing.  The moment  Wendy Mae Brown spritzes onto the stage as the Fairy Godmother, the standard is set, and everyone delivers.  Her performance is dazzling, nurturing, and powerful.  A sparkling cheerleader for Cinderella, she also beautifully speaks to all of us regarding self-belief, love and friendship.  Her performance felt like a giant hug.  Sarah Vaughan as Cinderella is a powerhouse singer, whose cheery outlook and aimable performance drew everyone in.  She was able to make Cinderella a self sufficient and strong character rather than one who needed rescuing by a man, and it didn’t go unnoticed by many a young female audience member who I heard chatting about it.  Brilliant move!  Liz Carney and Chloe Chesworth as Vindicta and Manipulata Fortuna, the Wicked Sisters, were a fabulously feisty comedy duo who worked in perfect harmony with one another to create some brilliant moments and excellent physical humour.  They could both also belt out a number with impressively strong vocals and truly brought a witty wickedness to the stage. 

Myra DuBois is a Manchester legend who has a striking presence and demanding demeanour whenever you are fortunate enough to be in her vicinity.  A multi award winning phenomenon, Myra brings her own brand of humour to Cinderella and we are thrilled to be lapping it up once more.  Queen of the quick witted one liners, she glides onto the stage with an unrivalled aura in the most fabulous costumes and wigs, keeping us on the edge of our toes as you sense an air of mischief and defiance of will she or won’t she stick to the script.  You never know what will happen with Myra and whether you will be in the firing line, and we audiences love it!  Her ability to deliver lines is outstanding, knowing exactly how and when to switch from evil, and pull it right back to an unnerving sweetness.

Ben Nickless has deservedly earned a place in the hearts of us pantomime regulars with his natural warmth, charm, and never-ending talents.  I mean, what can’t he do?  He hosts the show, pulling it all together, sings, does slapstick, does comedy routines and gags that appeal to all ages, has a natural rapport with children, can perform with equal passion both solo, duo or part of a larger team, and is constantly expanding his repertoire of uncanny and hilarious impressions!    We were treated to many new ones tonight and they blew my mind, particularly the comedy section when he impersonated Alan Carr, John Bishop, and Michael McIntyre.  They were unbelievable, and they are all woven into an outstanding comedy script that is equally delivered with punch and pizazz.  And not only does he do regular spoken impressions, he does singing ones too!  You always feel a genuine love for entertaining with Nickless and it makes us love him back all the more.  Tonight, I particularly loved that we also got to hear him singing as himself, in a stunning rendition of ‘The Joker & The Queen.’ 

I have absolutely no idea how Jason Manford not only managed to fit panto in this year amidst his UK solo tour ‘A Man For All Seasons’, filming Waterloo Road, and his beloved paddle tennis, but to fit it in with such flair, brilliance and energy is inspiring.  Panto is such a wonderful fit for Manford because it showcases his multi talents in one outstanding show, allowing him to sing, do stand up, act, perform variety show routines, present, write, and showcase his generous spirit and support towards other performers.  On more than one occasion, Manford plays the more serious partner to Nickless’ daft one, allowing him the punch lines, the gags and the payoffs.  I’m not sure I could name many performers as well established as Manford who would do the same, and it is a delight to see.  But when it is his turn in the spotlight, he never fails to dish up the best of the best, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him sing some belters, belly laugh at his jokes, and even be impressed by his dancing, particularly his duet with Nickless as they recreated Take That’s ‘Pray’.  I truly believe Jason Manford to be one of the most natural and charismatic all round performers that we have, and I hope I interpreted one of his lines correctly that made it sound like he would be returning to our panto for a fourth year next year.  We can but wish upon a panto star because he is a captivating performer who keeps on keeping it fresh and friendly every single year.

Cinderella is everything you need to feel Christmassy and will leave you buzzing with a festive spirit and full of life.  I am not embarrassed to say that I fully reverted to my inner child and was booing, cheering, and joining in the panto participation lines with as much gusto as anyone.  Everyone was and that’s what makes this panto an absolute must on my Christmas list every single year.  You get to be carefree again.  You get to laugh, smile, shimmy and shake your way through happiness and be wonderfully enveloped in nothing but joy and togetherness.  The Opera House panto by Crossroads Pantomimes sums up the heart of this season and does so with a flamboyance and stamina that I am hooked into year upon year.  I cannot recommend it enough for it is jam packed with glitz, pizazz, epic tunes, showbiz shenanigans, panto traditions, comedy, dazzling dancing and illusions that will leave you believing in magic!  So whether you travel by pumpkin carriage, car or tram, magic yourself to Cinderella as fast as you can!  

WE SCORE CINDERELLA...




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