Northern Stage Newcastle – until 6th January 2024
Reviewed by Sandra Little
5*****
By Sally Cookson, Adam Peck and the Original Company
Directed by Jake Smith and Katy Weir
This retelling of a traditional fairytale is the Christmas family offering from Northern Stage. The programme for Cinderella describes the play as, “ a fairytale but not as you know it” and whilst the basic elements of the Cinderella story that we do know and love are present, there are also some interesting interpretations and additions to the original tale. The setting for this production is not what might be expected as much of the action takes place in a forest. Birds play a key role in the telling of the story and puppetry is used effectively. There is only one “ugly” stepsister (Peace Oseyenum) in this production and a rather unpleasant stepbrother ( David Fallon). Doc Martens have a very important role in this offering and there is no glass slipper in sight.
Ella ( played by Evlyne Oyedokun) is treated unkindly by her stepmother (Zoe Lambert) and forced by her to live amongst the cinders. However, Ella is not the downtrodden character one might expect and in fact she is quite a feisty young lady who plays tricks on her step siblings. We learn that Ella loves nature and she spends quite a lot of time in the forest where a chance encounter provides her with a ticket for a party at the palace. Although there is no fairy godmother in Northern Stage’s version to help Ella go to the party there is a happy ending and the chance encounter in the forest turns out to be a meeting with the prince, played by Charlie Venables.
Although this production is most definitely not a traditional pantomime, some elements of pantomime are successfully woven into the story. There is a good smattering of fun and audience participation; there are baddies in the cast to dislike and we see great comedy routines included alongside a sprinkling of magic and love to help the story along. Following a pantomime theme there are also some fabulously flamboyant costumes which deserve a mention and add glamour as well as comedy to the performance.
This Christmas production from Northern Stage includes some high energy song and dance routines that add a further dimension to a very enjoyable piece of entertainment. Both children and adults in the audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy this show and all of the main performers played great parts. It would be unfair to single out any one member of cast however there was a great dance routine from the prince in his pyjamas, Ella was a strong and determined young lady and Ella’s step mum and siblings were suitably unpleasant and funny in equal measure. If you are looking for some family Christmas entertainment I would certainly recommend a visit to Northern Stage.