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Lyric Hammersmith, LondonPrince Charming? You must be joking – but this show will still leave families and festive fun-seekers satisfied
You might think assignations with princes have lost their romantic sparkle lately. The Lyric’s Cinderella would agree – right down to the Woking Pizza Express wisecracks. This is not a panto to leave traditional assumptions intact. When given the chance, Timmika Ramsay’s Cinderella prefers not to become queen, thanks very much. One ugly sister, meanwhile, turns out to be quite sweet, and falls in love – heteronormativity be damned! – with a female Buttons.
Which is all fine and Dandini, save that a few babies are ejected with the bathwater – and a little water left in the bath. I’m fond of the panto tradition whereby wickedly funny performers are deployed to send proceedings up and backchat shamelessly with the crowd. It’s not observed here, in a show (directed by Tinuke Craig) that’s strong on singing but relatively weak on comedy. Continue reading...