The Other Palace Studio – until 7 January 2024
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
This version of the Cinderella story is a blast – camp, catty and a wonderful celebration of musical theatre. Having seen writers Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst’s Socially Distant Ball a few years ago, I was excited to see this updated production – and it did not disappoint.
With Reuben Speed’s simple but dazzling costumes and set – wheelie toilets! – this show is all about the writing and the performances, and the cast play a belter. May Tether’s Cinderella (dressed in a trashy pastiche of Carrie Hope Fletcher’s ALW outfit) is a feisty heroine who can more than hold her own against her awful stepsisters, Fanny (Veronica Green) and Vajayjay (Imelda Warren-Green). This dreadful duo steals every scene, with Veronica Green the sharp and terrifying one and Warren-Green the clueless and cruel sister. They work brilliantly as a team, and their audience interaction is a big hit. Warren-Green is hilarious with her gormless expressions and gait like a Thunderbird with their strings cut. Keanna Bloomfield plays Buttons and the Prince with an arch charm and makes the most of every joke about theatrical budgets and doubling roles. Director Lizzy Connolly turns the constraints of the tiny stage into a running joke and keeps the pacy onslaught of jokes and set pieces ticking along enjoyably.
Prenger and Hurst pack the traditional story of poor Cinders going to the ball and finding her Prince Charming with enough theatrical references to delight the most avid musical theatre fan. There are random lyrics spoken as dialogue and comic versions of numbers from favourite musicals like Hamilton and Six. Warren-Green delivers the traditional patter song with befuddled panache, using the names of theatre shows instead of the usual sweet brands – simply brilliant. A fantastic visual joke featuring the act 2 opening of Jamie Lloyd’s Sunset Blvd. introduces a very random guest star, and Cinders’ increasingly disgruntled fairy godmother appears onscreen with a fabulous cameo from the uncredited original Vajayjay.
You’ll laugh, you’ll groan, you’ll check every crisp packet carefully. A Very Very bad Cinderella is a bijou and bawdy bundle of Christmas joy.