Cinderella. Stardust Theatre Company. Terry O'Toole Theatre. 25 March 2023

Cinderella

Stardust Theatre Company

Terry O'Toole Theatre

North Hykeham

Saturday 25 March 2023

There are few companies for whom I am prepared to change my plans on any given day, just to have the pleasure and privilege of watching them perform and reviewing them. However, Stardust is one of those very select few. I will admit, I had plans when Production Manager Sara Sprague contacted me and asked if there was any chance I could make it to their show, so I cancelled my prior plans. Tat is how special I feel Stardust is, and how important I believe their work is. Of course, productions like this don't just happen and it takes a team to put the work together. Rachel Pavitt is also a Production Manager, Paige Ruddlesdin is the Choreographer, Colette Buchanan-Gray is the Sound Designer and the whole team is led by the magnificent Kei Bailey who wrote and directed the show.

More importantly, ALL of the aforementioned individuals appear in the show alongside the students they work so lovingly with, always supporting and encouraging them and as the programme notes said, "helping each person at STARDUST to grow and shine that little bit brighter". I take my hat off to their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment. Every show they create is a labour of love and that love reflects back a thousand times from the stage in the performance. If the lights suddenly went out, the smiles of the cast would still light up the theatre. The company always meticulously thanks all it's sponsors and everyone who helps make their dream a reality.

I first met Stardust this time last year, when they performed The Chocolate Troll at the same venue, and my review of that show is still available on this site. This inclusive theatre group do not see barriers to performance, they see opportunities. It is a joyous experience watching a cast absolutely overcoming the challenges and gaining such pleasure from creating and performing their very own show. Writer/Director/Actor Kei Bailey is to be commended for the sensitive way in which he crafts his script to highlight the abilities of his cast but with all that juggling, it is no wonder that the odd line goes astray as he performs his dame routines as Harpic, alongside his fellow ugly sister, Domestos who is played with ever-increasing confidence by Thomas Marron. And Thomas ensures that everyone sticks to their lines in the script even when potential chaos reigns! They present the traditional dames alongside Paige Ruddlesdin as Baroness Hardup, their mother, and Stephen Coote who brought us a wonderful Baron Hardup dancing so enthusiastically in his chair at one point, I feared both he and the chair might topple over.

Other domestic staff at Hardup Hall included Mr Chutney the Butler, played by Jeff Morris and Miss Pickle the housekeeper played by Sue Fletcher. No panto of Cinderella would be complete without a silly Buttons and Adam Fielding did an amazing job of keeping up the pace, ad-libbing when necessary and encouraging all around on stage to be larger than life and very, very silly. But this panto had something special, Buttons had a best friend called Zipper who was Buttons constant companion and mischief maker played, again with growing confidence, by William Pavitt. But central to the whole story was Cinderella herself, played with relish by Hollie Morris who assured me before the show that she was excited, not nervous, to perform for a full house at the Terry O' Toole. She clearly loved every minute and was so confident on stage and looked lovely in her blue ball gown.

The Royal Court was made up of the King, played by Jack Strange who, despite his status still fancied going out "on the pull" at the Ball organised by his busybody Prime Minister, Maggie Scratcher wonderfully portrayed by Laura Griffin. And then we had the dynamic duo of Prince Charming and his friend Dandini. In what I believe is his first show with Stardust, Josh Lane was brimful of energy and confidence as the Prince and was really busting some moves on the dancefloor. He is a real talent. His companion Dandini was played with care and support by Josephine O'Brien who kept scenes on track as did many volunteer performers throughout by discretely reminding cast of lines etc.

Then we saw royal princesses and guests at the ball played by Becki Doughty, Zara Barrett and Mandy Ashley. Once again they clearly loved their ball gowns and fans and dancing at the ball.

We saw four mice turned into unicorns to draw Cinderella's carriage to the ball played by Brianna Sprague, Sara Sprague, Jo Robinson and Becky Murray. It was the mice who inadvertently provided my favourite line of the show. When asked what colour mane the unicorns would like, the reply "Beans on Toast" threw even the most seasoned performers on stage through it's unexpected offer!.

Alongside the mice were the rats who drove the carriage and acted as footman to Cinders in Nathan Storey and Ian Mills.

Magic and fairies were in abundance throughout the play led by Colette Buchanan-Gray. Keri Anne Beaumont, Hannah Hewitt, Lucy Baptist and Lorraine Small all helped to sprinkle real stardust over proceedings with charm and grace As trainee fairies under the care of Colette's Fairy Stardust.

When it comes to greed and villainy, the bondsmen Nabbit and Grabbit played by Tom Kirk and Charley Openshaw provided the audience with lots of silliness and energy and looked absolutely amazing in their bespoke, patchwork costumes made specifically for them and this production. In fact, I should say that the costumes were stunning throughout the ensemble and a tribute to everyone who assisted by making or lending stuff to the team.

Last but not least, we had further guests and citizens of the town in Count de Money played by Henry Jackson, Lord Helpus portrayed by James Southee and Rachel Pavitt's Baroness von Trapdoor. As punters entered the auditorium, they were also greeted by Stardust Ambassador Eleanor Kirk performing the valuable task of welcoming visitors and distributing programmes.

The whole show was a sell-out and the audience, deservedly, rose to their feet not only to salute the effort in bringing such a special show to the stage, but also because it richly deserved the applause. There is no happier way to spend an afternoon at the theatre. Well done Stardust!!!

Andy Evans 26 March 2023

Before the show, the cast and crew all posed for character shots in costume too. Don't they look magnificent?