B-Scene's Cinderella

B-Scene Productions present Cinderella 

I had heard a lot about B-Scene Productions on my travels so was very much looking forward to visiting Leweston Theatre, Sherborne.

What a great venue to put on a panto. This was their debut, it was opening night and I was judging too. No pressure then!

A friendly welcome awaited me by Director and writer Rosie Horsey who had written the script last year when she was just sixteen, yes, sixteen! A professional programme was given to me and an audience of over one hundred arrived to watch the opening nights performance.

This was not your usual Cinderella with exploding ovens, custard pies, runny eggs, boudoirs and pumpkins but a modern twist on the story. This was Rosie’s vision and she most certainly pulled it off.

I have always believed if you have a talent use it and it was clearly evident you had. You conjured up some of the finest singers and dancers alongside actors in the area and, with nearly twenty appropriate numbers in the show, made this ‘almost’ a musical pantomime.

The production still maintained its traditions. An adorable Merry Berry brought goodness to the story with crystal clear diction and a lovely singing voice (you handled the children on stage immaculately by the way!) By contrast the villain of the piece, Morsus, gave us a convincing ‘baddie’ with an excellent cackle and tremendous singing voice. Both Cinderella and Prince Charming were a perfect pairing to name but a few.

Comedy was in abundance by Penny and Priscilla, Alex and Benny.

You are gifted with a great junior cast too. What talent! For me though Dust, Pan and Brush were the stars of this show.

All sets were very pleasing and your first class lighting added mood and appeal to this production.

On occasions though, music drowned some of your solo singers and from where I was sitting was unable to hear every word. Likewise, some diction by some principals had a tendency to be rushed, again being unable to hear or take in every comment or punchline. I hope I haven’t ‘put my foot in it’ by mentioning these pointers.

Nonetheless what a ‘Christmas cracker’ of a production for your debut. To Rosie, Keira and Rich I extend my congratulations for making this happen and to all the cast thank you for an entertaining musical spectacle.

Nigel Ford

Moderator