Naima Khan spends a morning with Gary Wilmot, Kellie Shirley and the cast of Richmond Theatre's Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.
“Show me your journey” coaxes the endlessly enthusiastic choreographer David Lee, “and make that triangle happen” - happy commands that wouldn't make sense anywhere but a dance rehearsal room. He addresses a group of three women in bustles and their elegant footmen at Dance Attic Studios, Fulham where rehearsals for Richmond Theatre's Christmas pantomime, Cinderella are underway.
The show stars the generally blue comedian Jenny Eclair who tones it down and embraces her maternal tendencies as the Fairy God Mother alongside Gary Wilmot's Buttons the faithful friend of Cinderella, this year played by Kellie Shirley. 
Kellie's timetable today sees her flit between three studios within Dance Attic. She is screamed at by the Ugly Sisters and learns harmonies with Gary before picking up an adorable dance routine created by David. “I feel like treacle personified,” she says between wardrobe fittings. And though Thetareland musters the the will to burst forth with a plethora of princesses every Christmas, this year she notes is “a little easier after the Royal Wedding. I'm finding my inner Middleton.”
Sickly sweet though she may be, innocent Cinderella is balanced by her vile siblings, the adorable Buttons and the Fairy Godmother whose cumulative traits form the personality of this particular pantomime, a form of theatre which is too often assumed to be generic. 
Director Chris Dunham has opted for something that embraces the traditional humour and baby-doll cuteness of his leading lady, something choreographer David takes into account as he crafts the dance for his 25 strong ensemble during their chorus scene and when he's showing Gary and Kellie how to move together during their little duet. 
“Cinderella is very classically styled, dance wise,” David explains. He warns me about the impending cliché but says it anyway “it really is all about the storytelling,” which comes to light when he choreographs a duet between Cinderella and Buttons. Here, Lee negotiates what's cute and what's corny, what's friendly and what's flirty and he has Gary on hand to say when. Despite an incredibly short rehearsal time of only two weeks, the cast have an unconquerable energy and after following them around for a day, it turns out what doesn't go in the show is just as funny as what does.
Cinderella runs at Richmond Theatre form 9th December 2011 - 15th Janurary 2012
Images by Simon Annand
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