Cinderella, Oakengates Theatre, Telford - review

Then once inside the theatre, looking around and finding myself surrounded by excited primary school children and their families, I wondered whether maybe I wasn't exactly the target audience for this kind of performance and tried to prepare as best I could for what was to come.

But just a couple of hours later, with those same kids screaming themselves hoarse and gesticulating wildly all around me, I was utterly absorbed and trying, and failing, to keep a wide grin from my face.

By this point I was well and truly invested in the panto; the theatricality, the innuendo-laced humour, the ostentatious characterisation and, yes, the feel-good story at the heart of it all.

The classic story of Cinderella is brought to Telford by Shone Productions and brought to life by a talented cast, led by former EastEnders star Tony Discipline as Prince Charming and Isabel Gamble as the princess herself.

The pair are the wholesome heart of the show, and the whole audience wills the likeable pair to get their happy ending together throughout. They are supported by their respective sidekicks Dandini and Buttons, helped along the way by the Fairy Godmother and hindered at every turn by the Ugly Sisters Lav and Lou, who really live up to their "pantomime villain" labels.

The show was directed by company figurehead James Shone and Anna Kumble, who had a successful charting stint singing under the stage name Lolly in the late 90s and early 2000s.

They combine reworks of modern pop songs, solid acting performances and reliable pantomime tropes with some genuinely impressive special effects to keep the audience engaged in the twists and turns of the love story effectively.

The ever-changing sets all serve their purpose but the production value is really evident in the completely over-the-top costumes worn by the monstrous Ugly Sisters, played to very villainous effect by established partnership Oliver Gray and Dean Horner. I quickly lost track of the number of outlandishly elaborate outfits, and it really is impressive that the duo manage to change their looks quickly enough to make it to each scene in time. The costume designers must have really enjoyed this part of their job.

The aforementioned special effects deserve a nod too - the climax to the first act is an impressive trip for Cinderella's flying carriage accompanied by a flurry of snow, and a split-second costume change from the princess' scruffy rags into her ballroom gown still has me scratching my head.

Co-director Anna Kumble takes a central role in the story herself, playing the benevolent Fairy Godmother who helps get Cinderella to the ball. Her singing chops are evident too - she lends real star power to the numbers she contributes to although the whole cast pulls their weight in that regard.

The real star of the show though, at least as far as the younger ones in the audience are concerned, is Buttons. Played with explosive energy by panto expert Carl Dutfield, he conditions the children early on to bellow his name whenever he appears and he keeps their enthusiasm high throughout with constant audience interaction. But he ensures the adult section of the audience is entertained too with his quickfire asides and observations. At one point Gamble herself couldn't keep a smile from her face and joined the audience with an unscripted laugh at his antics, before regaining her composure.

Buttons' opposite number Dandini, played by CBeebies star Joe Chambers, was consistently amusing too, and at one point broke into a Telford-themed Ed Sheeran cover that proved the producers had done their homework.

A special mention should go to the Market Drayton School of Performing Arts, the Telford Academy of Performing Arts and the Carmichael's School of Dance and Theatre Arts, all of are contributing dancers and singers to the production, and the ensemble dancers who contribute to an impressive show.

In short, this may have been my first panto experience, but if they're all as polished and purely feel-good as this one, it won't be my last.

The show at the Place Oakengates runs until January 6, and there is a British Sign Language signed show on December 28. In addition, there is a relaxed showing on January 5. For details call 01952 382382 or visit theplacetelford.com/whats-on/all-shows/cinderella/