Review

Cinderella is the public’s favourite pantomime and the Rochdale public are not being disappointed with this years Christmas offering at The Gracie Fields Theatre. This production has plenty of audience participation particularly with Ian Curran as Buttons who has the children eating out of the palm of his hand. His rapport with the children is obvious and natural. Rochdale born Helen Owen is a delight as Cinderella and her singing talents are shown to the full. Carly Griggs as Prince Charming and Annmarie Hosell as Dandini make a very strong pair of leg slapping principal boys.

David Williams as Baron Hardup has to control the ugly sisters played with great venom by Colin Meredith and Roy Carruthers under the guise of Trinny and Susanna. The audience went wild at the ticket ripping scene as they were whipped up into a frenzy by the uglies. A small character stealing the show is Casper the miniature Shetland pony who drives the crystal coach to the ball.

Hollyoaks star Kathryn George manages to hold the whole show together throughout with her dizzy Fairy Godmother and with the help of the children in the audience delivers that special kind of magic. The live band under the direction of Martin Hughes helps give the production a very professional feel and the team of young dancers compliment the production throughout. With a total running time of two hours the show manages to hold the childrens attention completely.

Gemma Kemp