Jacksons Lane Theatre show Naima Khan some 21st century pantomime.
One sure fire way to amp up the anticipation of an audience is to warn them of the potentially hazardous aspects of the show they’re about to see. A community theatre in zone three isn't likely to provide very ambitious theatre but this performance warns of haze and strobe lights so feel free right to have high hopes for Jacksons Lane's production of Cinderella, and happily, they will be met.
Rest assured, this is a perfectly safe production of an amusing, original take on Cinderella. We are greeted with a personalised welcome from the adorable Aunt Ella, Cinderella’s guardian who demonstrates in panto perfect logic how she, Ella, comes to find a baby covered in cinders which she neglects to take to the police, keeps for herself and names - as you would imagine - Cinderella. An evil step-mother she ain’t. This contrary start makes you wonder from the beginning, what will happen to Cinderella now that she is being raised in the care of someone who genuinely loves her?
The play is overall, hugely entertaining, cleverly scripted and staged. There is only one fleeting moment that makes me momentarily chilled to the bone. Ella’s transformation from the older aunt figure into the school-aged Cinderella is downright creepy and reminds me of Don’t Look Now (but the other way round). Children won’t pick up on it and Stacha Hicks deserves due credit for her seamless conversion.
Adrian Berry's adaptation of the classic fairy story brings Cinderella to a 21st century audience, drawing on our unabashed consumption of reality TV and our desire to be amazed. Cinderella is awkward and clumsy and we soon learn that her only talent is playing ’Purple Rain’ badly on a ukelele. She stumbles into talent school where she finds the evil Dr Kane (Gordon Warnecke of My Beautiful Laundrette) who teaches her in his own selfish, Simon Cowell like way to figure out her X factor so he can exploit it. She graduates, no less clumsy, but now equipped to give an inspirational speech about the joys being herself.
There are no obvious fairytale characters in this production, making Berry's concept that much more clever. It's brilliant children's entertainment without being taxing or repetitive for adults. It's very interactive and the audience is constantly kept on their toes by a vibrant set, awe-inspiring acrobatics, stunning effects and a soundtrack that transcends generations. The show opens with buckets of energy and colour to MGMT's Kids, it goes on to lament the departing of Victor the magician (the prince charming alternative) to Sinead O'Connor, it ends with a rendition of ’Purple Rain’ and everyone joins in. With elements of classic pantomime, its absurdity is what makes it so entertaining. At one point the spirit of Strictly Come Dancing forces Cinderella to perform an awkward tango with Buttons the mouse and eerie Geordie voices try to curb her ascent to the next round of 'Planet's Got Talent'.
The stars of the show are Colin and Candy (So & So Circus), Berry's alternative to The Ugly Sisters. They squeak and mime their way through impressive acrobatic routines and circus tricks, helping and hindering Cinderella on her mission to find Victor. They have the audience spellbound. Victor's magic tricks captivate the children and charm Cinderella off her feet.
An altogether brilliant show, truly impressive with a warm community feel to the whole theatre. Look out for floating tables, the scary powers of television and the smart utilisation of the whole theatre space. Though not classic pantomime, you will need to look behind you.
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