CUDOS' Cinderella

CUDOS presents Cinderella 

I always enjoy my visits to the Victoria Hall, Crewkerne. It’s a great venue for a pantomime and I continue to receive a very warm welcome from the team.

It was here CUDOS were performing Cinderella. The script was written by Alan P. Frayn and Lucy Bond had her debut as Director.

Apart from a UV we had all the ingredients of a traditional pantomime making this a most enjoyable and entertaining production.

Lines were delivered confidently and I must say you also have some great singers within your society too.

I felt casting was ‘spot on’ including the perfect pairing of Cinderella and Prince Charming along with Gertrude and Grizelda.

The show moved along at a smart pace and never once laboured.

Of course, a panto is never a panto without a Dame. Here we had the two ugly Sisters. Believe me, in my eyes you were traditional and lacked nothing. A great performance keeping the show together with total confidence, comic timing and holding us in the palms of your hands. Well done.           

The sets looked striking under the lighting. I especially loved the Palace Ballroom and the ‘Midnight clock’ was an ingenious idea. All scene changes were swiftly and silently undertaken (well done black gang).

I enjoyed your musical numbers and you all sang with gusto. How lucky you were to find a great band although I have to say they were a tad loud drowning some fine vocals from the principals, especially during Act 1.

Choreography was simple but effective and Ensemble and junior Ensemble were a joy to watch. I thought the hunting scene in the Royal Forest was very cleverly animated and comical.

The ‘It’s behind you’ scene worked well and was another memorable moment. What an energetic ghost you have!

Smiles lit up the stage as did your costumes. I do just have to mention that many of you were wearing rings and a chorus member wearing a watch! It’s always a professional touch to remove these or cover with a plaster.

Nonetheless this was a very good all round production and despite getting soaked, what a great evenings entertainment I had.

Well done to you all!

Nigel Ford

Moderator